It’s been 50 years since Diane Crump became the first woman to ride in The Kentucky Derby, and this year’s Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cup program will honor and celebrate her legacy.
Beginning August 3, 146 cups–commemorating the 146th running of The Kentucky Derby–featuring etchings of the jockey silks worn by Crump during the 1970 Derby will be available for purchase via Woodford Reserve’s official Julep Cup website. Cups numbered 1-25 are gold-plated (and sell for $2,500 each) while cups 26-146 are silver-plated (and sell for $1,000). Both cups feature similar designs and honor Crump.
Proceeds from the cup sales will be donated in Crump’s honor to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
In the 1970 Derby, Crump rode Fathom to a 15th place finish. Since then, five other women have ridden in the “Run for the Roses”: Patti Cooksey, Andrea Seefeldt, Julie Krone, Rosemary Homeister and Rosie Napravnik.
“The $1,000 Mint Julep program has become a cherished Derby tradition — and this year we are honored to mark an important moment in Derby history while also raising money for charity,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris said.
Along with the etchings of Crump’s jockey silks, this year’s Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Cup features the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs. They are nestled in a walnut case with a replica of turquoise and white silks that Crump wore that historic day. The cups were designed and handcrafted by From the Vault Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky, and the silks for the walnut containers were made by Bourbon Cousins of Cincinnati.
In years past, anyone who purchased a julep cup could only pick it up on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Due to the global pandemic, the cups will be sent directly to consumers and Morris will conduct a virtual julep experience on Derby Day, which has been postponed this year to Saturday, September 5, 2020.
If you’d like to mix up a special Julep for this year’s Derby, the Brown-Forman-owned whiskey brand recommends a Diane Crump Blackberry Mint Julep:
Diane Crump Blackberry Mint Julep
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- 1 barspoon Blackberry Preserves
- 1 barspoon Simple Syrup
- Mint Bitters
- Fresh Blackberries and Mint Sprigs, for garnish
- Crushed Ice
At the bottom of the julep cup mix 1 bar spoon of blackberry preserves and 1 bar spoon of simple syrup. Add 2 – 4 dashes of mint bitters. Fill two-thirds of cup with crushed ice. Add sipping straw and Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Top off cup with more crushed ice (packed in). Top with fresh blackberries and a sprig of mint to garnish. Put the mint near the straw, so the smell enhances each sip. Enjoy!