The Belmont Stakes was named after financier and sportsman August Belmont, Sr The race was first run in 1867; it has been run at Belmont Park since 1905. The first post parade in the United States was at the 14th Belmont, in 1880.

The race distance has varied: from 1867 until 1873, it was 1 5/8 miles. In 1874 the distance was reduced to 1 1/2 miles, and from 1890 to 1892, and in 1895, the distance was 1 1/4 miles. From 1896 until 1925, the distance was increased to the original 1 5/8 miles. In 1926, the race distance was set at the present 1 1/2 miles.

Secretariat's 1973 Belmont victory set a record not only for the race, but for the mile and a half on dirt, that still stands.

YEAR WINNER

1867 : Ruthless

1868 : General Duke

1869 : Fenian

1870 : Kingfisher

1871 : Harry Bassett

1872 : Joe Daniels

1873 : Springbok

1874 : Saxon

1875 : Calvin

1876 : Algerine

1877 : Cloverbrook

1878 : Duke of Magenta

1879 : Spendthrift

1880 : Grenada

1881 : Saunterer

1882 : Forester

1883 : George Kinney

1884 : Panique

1885 : Tyrant

1886 : Inspector B.

1887 : Hanover

1888 : Sir Dixon

1889 : Eric

1890 : Burlington

1891 : Foxford

1892 : Patron

1893 : Comanche

1894 : Henry of Navarre

1895 : Belmar

1896 : Hastings

1897 : Scottish Chieftain

1898 : Bowling Brook

1899 : Jean Bereaud

1900 : Ildrim

1901 : Commando

1902 : Masterman

1903 : Africander

1904 : Delhi

1905 : Tanya

1906 : Burgomaster

1907 : Peter Pan

1908 : Colin

1909 : Joe Madden

1910 : Sweep

1913 : Prince Eugene

1914 : Luke McLuke

1915 : The Finn

1916 : Friar Rock

1917 : Hourless

1918 : Johren

1919 : Sir Barton*

1920 : Man o' War

1921 : Grey Lag

1922 : Pillory

1923 : Zev

1924 : Mad Play

1925 : American Flag 1926 : Crusader

1927 : Chance Shot

1928 : Vito

1929 : Blue Larkspur

1930 : Gallant Fox*

1931 : Twenty Grand

1932 : Faireno

1933 : Hurryoff

1934 : Peace Chance

1935 : Omaha*

1936 : Granville

1937 : War Admiral*

1938 : Pasteurized

1939 : Johnstown

1940 : Bimelech

1941 : Whirlaway*

1942 : Shut Out

1943 : Count Fleet*

1944 : Bounding Home

1945 : Pavot

1946 : Assault*

1947 : Phalanx

1948 : Citation*

1949 : Capot

1950 : Middleground

1951 : Counterpoint

1952 : One Count

1953 : Native Dancer

1954 : High Gun

1955 : Nashua

1956 : Needles

1957 : Gallant Man

1958 : Cavan

1959 : Sword Dancer

1960 : Celtic Ash

1961 : Sherluck

1962 : Jaipur

1963 : Chateaugay

1964 : Quadrangle

1965 : Hail to All

1966 : Amberoid

1967 : Damascus

1968 : Stage Door Johnny

1969 : Arts and Letters

1970 : High Echelon

1971 : Pass Catcher

1972 : Riva Ridge

1973 : Secretariat*

1974 : Little Current

1975 : Avatar

1976 : Bold Forbes

1977 : Seattle Slew*

1978 : Affirmed*

1979 : Coastal

1980 : Temperence Hill

1981 : Summing

1982 : Conquistador Cielo

1983 : Caveat

1984 : Swale

1985 : Creme Fraiche

1986 : Danzig Connection

1987 : Bet Twice

1988 : Risen Star

1989 : Easy Goer

1990 : Go and Go

1991 : Hansel

1992 : A.P. Indy

1993 : Colonial Affair

1994 : Tabasco Cat

1995 : Thunder Gulch

1996 : Editor's Note

1997 : Touch Gold

1998 : Victory Gallop

1999 : Lemon Drop Kid

2000 : Commendable

2001 : Point Given

2002 : Sarava

2003 : Empire Maker