Belmont Park Begins a New Chapter
A New Era for Belmont Park as Historic Racecourse Reopens After $555 Million Transformation
One of the most famous venues in international horse racing has entered a new era. Belmont Park in New York has reopened following a major $555 million redevelopment, bringing Thoroughbred racing back to a venue whose history stretches back more than a century.
For followers of international horse racing on Al Badia, Belmont’s return is significant. The racecourse is synonymous with the Belmont Stakes and American Triple Crown history, yet the new venue has been designed with a much broader future in mind.
Four New Racing Surfaces
The redevelopment includes a modern grandstand and four newly constructed racing surfaces: the traditional 1½-mile dirt track, two turf courses and a new one-mile Tapeta synthetic oval. The latter will support winter racing as well as races moved from turf because of unsuitable weather conditions.
This gives Belmont greater flexibility and allows the venue to support year-round racing and training.
The redevelopment also introduces an expanded paddock and increased publicly accessible green space, combining the needs of racing professionals with an improved experience for spectators.
It is an approach increasingly seen at leading international racecourses, where the quality of the racing must be matched by facilities capable of attracting a new generation of spectators.
Forever Young Marks the Return
Belmont’s reopening was given genuine international significance by the presence of Japanese champion Forever Young in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.
The Yoshito Yahagi-trained star arrived at Belmont after competing internationally across Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the United States, illustrating just how global elite Thoroughbred racing has become.
That international movement is something readers will recognise across Al Badia’s racing and equestrian coverage, particularly as leading horses increasingly travel between the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North America for major races.
Bigger Events Are Coming
The reopening is only the beginning.
The Belmont Stakes is scheduled to return to Belmont Park in 2027, while the venue will also stage the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, bringing the Breeders’ Cup back to New York State for the first time since 2005.
The 2026 fall programme itself is substantial, featuring 72 stakes worth $17.7 million, including 32 graded events.
Belmont Park therefore represents something larger than the restoration of a famous racecourse. It is an investment in the future of American racing while preserving a name deeply connected to the sport’s history.
For more international horse racing, major races and equestrian news from Al Badia, follow our latest coverage throughout the season.
