The Mint Julep Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for fillies and mares, four years old and older over a distance of one and one sixteenth miles on the turf scheduled annually in late May or early June at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.^[1] It currently offers a purse of $225,000.^[1]

From its inaugural running in 1977 to 1986, the event was run on the dirt course, but was moved to the turf course beginning in 1987.^[2]

The race is named for the Mint Julep, a popular drink with racing fans at Churchill Downs, particularly seen on Kentucky Derby day.

The event was split into divisions in 1987 and 1990.^[3]

Between 1983 and 2004 the conditions of the event were for fillies and mares that were four year olds and older.^[4]

In 2001 the event was upgraded to a Grade III.^[1]

From 2001 to 2014 the event was known as the Early Time Mint Julep Handicap.^[4] Beginning in 2015, the Mint Julep Handicap became the Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap for sponsorship reasons.^[4]

Speed record

• 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:40.70 Quite A Bride (2007)

Margins

• 5 lengths – Lillian Russell (1981)

Most wins

• 2 – Megans Bluff (2001, 2002)

Most wins by an owner

• 2 – Carl F. Pollard (2003, 2015)
• 2 – James C. Routsong (2001, 2002)
• 2 – Richard and Bertram Klein (2013, 2016)
• 2 – Madaket Stables (2020, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey

• 4 – Robby Albarado (1997, 2005, 2006, 2007)

Most wins by a trainer

• 5 – William I. Mott (1987, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2007)