What is the Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes?
The Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course for fillies and mares aged four and older, it is one of the most celebrated distaff turf tests on the Churchill Downs Spring Meet calendar and a key benchmark for older fillies and mares targeting the summer turf championship circuit. Inaugurated in 1977 as the Mint Julep Handicap, the race was originally run on dirt before switching to turf in 1987. Sponsored by Old Forester bourbon since 2015, the race received Grade III status in 2001 and has produced a distinguished roll of honor including My Typhoon, Dreaming of Anna, Delta Princess, and Acoma among its most celebrated winners. Trainer Bill Mott holds the record for most wins with five, while jockey Robby Albarado leads all riders with four victories.
When is the Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at Churchill Downs. Contested at 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course with a purse of $275,000, the race draws the top older fillies and mares on the East Coast and Midwest targeting summer turf championship events.
Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes History & Notable Winners
Pin Up Betty set the stakes record in 2025, blazing to a 1½-length victory in 1:40.55 under Luis Saez for trainer Mike Maker to eclipse the previous mark set by Quite a Bride in 2007. Chad Brown's Delahaye gave the Hall of Fame trainer his first Mint Julep win in 2024, closing strongly under Tyler Gaffalione in 1:45.46. Henrietta Topham delivered an 8-1 upset in 2023 under James Graham for trainer Geoff Mulcahy, getting by the heavy favorite White Frost in deep stretch to win in 1:42.46. Gam's Mission gave trainer Cherie DeVaux an early career graded stakes win in 2022 under Adam Beschizza in 1:43.53. Mintd (IRE) gave trainer Brendan Walsh a dominant wire-to-wire score in 2021 under Ricardo Santana Jr. in 1:43.92 for Madaket Stables.
The Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes is one of the premier distaff turf tests on the Churchill Downs Spring Meet and a highlight of the Stephen Foster Preview Day card each May.
