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UK Eyes on Belmont: Top Horses and Trainers to Watch in 2025

The Belmont Stakes is back at Saratoga this year, and despite being 5,000 km from the UK, British racing fans have plenty of reasons to tune in. On 7 June, a field of elite 3-year-olds will contest the $2 million Grade 1 Belmont Stakes—not at its namesake track in New York City, but at the historic Saratoga Race Course. The distance has been shortened to 1¼ miles due to Belmont Park renovations, but the prestige remains unchanged.

With the 2025 Triple Crown already split—Sovereignty claimed the Kentucky Derby, and Journalism took the Preakness—the final leg is all about bragging rights and momentum. For punters and racing enthusiasts alike, this year’s race is shaping up to be a fascinating head-to-head.

The Stage Is Set at Saratoga

Saratoga isn’t new to upsets. Dubbed “The Graveyard of Champions,” the venue has a reputation for shaking up expectations. Moving the Belmont here changes the dynamics—especially for pace and stamina. The shorter distance puts more pressure on early speed and race positioning.

That shift could favour certain Belmont contenders more than others, especially those proven over middle distances or with tactical speed.

Horses to Watch in the 2025 Belmont Stakes

Here’s a closer look at the leading names expected to enter the gate, listed alphabetically as per the official shortlist.

Baeza

  • Trainer: John Shirreffs
  • Jockey: Flavien Prat
  • Record: 1 win, 2 seconds, 1 third from 5 starts
  • Last race: 3rd in the Kentucky Derby
  • Pedigree: By McKinzie

Baeza showed grit in the Derby, finishing third behind Sovereignty. With Flavien Prat aboard, he’s likely to get a patient ride and may benefit from Saratoga’s more forgiving distance.

Grande

  • Trainer: Todd Pletcher
  • Jockey: Dylan Davis
  • Record: 2 wins, 1 second from 3 starts
  • Last race: 2nd in the Wood Memorial
  • Pedigree: By Curlin

Still lightly raced, Grande is improving at the right time. Pletcher knows how to prepare a horse for big occasions, and Davis could make all the difference with a smart ride.

Heart of Honor

  • Trainer: Jamie Osborne
  • Jockey: Saffie Osborne
  • Record: 2 wins, 4 seconds from 7 starts
  • Last race: 5th in the Preakness
  • Pedigree: By Honor A. P.

The UK’s Jamie Osborne brings some homegrown flair to the Belmont field. Heart of Honor hasn’t broken through at the top level yet, but his consistent form makes him a legitimate sleeper.

Hill Road

  • Trainer: Chad Brown
  • Jockey: TBA
  • Record: 2 wins, 2 thirds from 5 starts
  • Last race: Won the Peter Pan Stakes
  • Pedigree: By Quality Road

Hill Road’s win in the Peter Pan, often seen as a prep for the Belmont, stamps him as one to watch. With Chad Brown calling the shots, expect a well-prepared entry.

Journalism

  • Trainer: Michael McCarthy
  • Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
  • Record: 5 wins, 1 second from 7 starts
  • Last race: Won the Preakness Stakes
  • Pedigree: By Curlin

Journalism’s Preakness win turned heads. His camp has yet to confirm Belmont participation, but if he lines up, he’ll carry plenty of confidence and a strong running style suited for Saratoga’s pace.

Rodriguez

  • Trainer: Bob Baffert
  • Jockey: Mike Smith
  • Record: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third from 5 starts
  • Last race: Won the Wood Memorial
  • Pedigree: By Authentic

Rodriguez brings the Baffert factor, always a key note in any major race. He’s shown balance and speed and has the veteran Mike Smith in the irons.

Sovereignty

  • Trainer: Bill Mott
  • Jockey: Junior Alvarado
  • Record: 3 wins, 2 seconds from 6 starts
  • Last race: Won the Kentucky Derby
  • Pedigree: By Into Mischief

Sovereignty made history in the Derby but skipped the Preakness to rest. That strategy mirrors past champions who returned sharper for the Belmont. If he shows up fresh, he’s the one to beat.

Trainers Making Headlines

  • Bill Mott: Calm, calculated, and classy—Mott has his star colt Sovereignty right where he wants him,
  • Bob Baffert: Back in the big time with Rodriguez, Baffert knows how to command the spotlight,
  • Jamie Osborne: UK-based Osborne aims to make a splash with Heart of Honor. A win here would be huge for international racing,
  • Michael McCarthy: Journalism’s Preakness win put McCarthy in the mix for trainer of the year honours.

What to Expect on Race Day

  • Date: Saturday, 7 June
  • Time: Approximately 6:50 p.m. ET (11:50 p.m. BST)
  • Track: Saratoga Race Course, 1¼ miles
  • Broadcast: FOX (US)

The draw takes place on Monday, 2 June, and will be key for determining how the early pace may unfold. Front-runners like Journalism will want inside posts, while closers like Sovereignty may benefit from a clean trip on the outside.

What UK Fans Should Know

  • The Belmont is the final leg of the US Triple Crown. Even without a sweep in play, it’s a premier Group 1-level race,
  • The field is evenly matched—no heavy favourite, which could offer value in odds,
  • Expect a mix of tactics. With the race shortened from its traditional marathon distance, early positioning and track bias will matter more than usual.

The Anticipation Builds

The 2025 Belmont Stakes is less about chasing history and more about shaping the future. Horses like Sovereignty and Journalism are already stars. Others, like Hill Road and Grande, are trying to break through. For British fans, there’s added intrigue in the form of Jamie Osborne’s Heart of Honor.

It’s a diverse, deep field—one that invites debate, rewards insight, and promises a thrilling conclusion to this year’s Triple Crown season. And with the race moving to Saratoga again, expect the unexpected.

The only guarantee? You’ll regret it if you miss this race.