Naturalism Stakes

Annual horse race in Melbourne, Australia

Horse race

MRC Foundation Cup
registered as Naturalism StakesGroup 3 race

Location| Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
Inaugurated| 1983 (Principal race as VATC Royal Show Handicap)
Race type| Thoroughbred
Sponsor| Catanach's Jewellers (2022)
Race information
Distance| 2,000 metres
Surface| Turf
Weight| Open handicap
Purse| $200,000 (2024)
Bonuses| Winner ballot exemption Caulfield Cup

The MRC Foundation Cup, registered as the Naturalism Stakes, is a Melbourne Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred open handicap horse race, over a distance of 2,000 metres. It is held annually at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in September. Total prize money for the race is A$200,000.[1]

## History

[edit]

The registered race is named after Naturalism, who won the 1993 Caulfield Stakes. The Naturalism Stakes is a good guide to high-profile races later in the season, including the Caulfield Cup and the prestigious W S Cox Plate.[2]

Since 2007 the race winner obtains a ballot exemption from the Caulfield Cup.[3]

### Grade

[edit]

* The race was upgraded from a Listed race to Group 3 in 2009.

### Distance

[edit]

* 1983-1993 – 1800 metres
* 1994 onwards - 2000 metres

### Name

[edit]

* 1983-1994 - VATC Royal Show Handicap[2]
* 1995-2001 - Naturalism Stakes
* 2002 - Emirates Airlines Stakes
* 2003 - Carnival Stakes
* 2004 - Dubai Duty Free Stakes
* 2005 - Nad Al Sheba Club Classic
* 2006-2014 - Naturalism Stakes
* 2015 - MRC Foundation Cup

## Winners

[edit]

* 2024 - Positivity[4]
* 2023 - Uncle Bryn[5]
* 2022 - Smokin' Romans[6]
* 2021 - Nonconformist[7]
* 2020 - Orderofthegarter[8]
* 2019 - Brimham Rocks[9]
* 2018 - Night's Watch[10]
* 2017 - Harlem[11]
* 2016 - Jameka[12]
* 2015 - Magnapal[13]
* 2014 - Gris Caro[14]
* 2013 - Mr O'Ceirin[15]
* 2012 - Folding Gear[16]
* 2011 - December Draw[17]
* 2010 - Rainbow Styling[18]
* 2009 - Red Lord[19]
* 2008 - Zagreb[20]
* 2007 - Douro Valley[21]
* 2006 - Zipping[22]
* 2005 - Sarrera[23]
* 2004 - Confectioner[24]
* 2003 - Rose Archway[25]
* 2002 - Pentastic[26]
* 2001 - Inaflury[27]
* 2000 - Celestial Show[28]
* 1999 - Second Coming
* 1998 - Our Unicorn
* 1997 - Skybeau
* 1996 - Peep On The Sly
* 1995 - Campaign Warrior
* 1994 - Top Rating
* 1993 - Golden Serpent
* 1992 - Three Pals
* 1991 - Newbury Star
* 1990 - Just A Dancer
* 1989 - Tiendi
* 1988 - Ebeli Show
* 1987 - Tristram
* 1986 - Sea Legend
* 1985 - Top Banner
* 1984 - Mapperley Heights
* 1983 - Mevron Boy

## See also

[edit]

* List of Australian Group races
* Group races

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Winners and Past Results for the Naturalism Stakes". Progroupracing.com (Aus). 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
2. ^ a b "Naturalism Stakes history and past winners". justhorseracing.com.au(Aus). 20 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
3. ^ Hawkins, Andrew (19 September 2013). "The Naturalism's a mini-Caulfield Cup". The Roar. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
4. ^ "Full Result 6.35 Caulfield (AUS) | 21 September 2024 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com.
5. ^ "Full Result 7.20 Caulfield (AUS) | 23 September 2023 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com.
6. ^ "2022 Result - Catanach Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup (held 17 September 2022)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
7. ^ "2021 Result - Catanach Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup (held 18 September 2021)". breednet.com. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
8. ^ "2020 Result - Catanach Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup (held 19 September 2020)". breednet.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
9. ^ "2019 Result - Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (held 21 September 2019)". breednet.com. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
10. ^ "2018 Result - Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (held 22 September 2018)". breednet.com. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
11. ^ "2017 Result - Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (held 23 September 2017)". breednet.com. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
12. ^ "2016 Result - Naturalism Stakes (held 17 September 2016)". breednet.com. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
13. ^ "2015 Result - M R C Foundation Cup (held 19 September 2015)". breednet.com. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
14. ^ "2014 Result - Jack London Naturalism Stakes (held 20 September 2014)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
15. ^ "2013 Result - D'Urban Naturalism Stakes (held 21 September 2013)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
16. ^ "2012 Result - D'Urban Naturalism Stakes (held 22 September 2012)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
17. ^ "2011 Result - D'Urban Naturalism Stakes (held 17 September 2011)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
18. ^ "2010 Result - D'Urban Naturalism Stakes (held 18 September 2010)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
19. ^ "2009 Result - Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (held 19 September 2009)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
20. ^ "2008 Result - Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (held 20 September 2008)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
21. ^ "2007 Result - Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (held 22 September 2007)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
22. ^ "2006 Result - Naturalism Stakes (held 23 September 2006)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
23. ^ "2005 Result - Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (held 17 September 2005)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
24. ^ "2004 Result - Dubai Duty Free (held 19 September 2004)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
25. ^ "2003 Result - Dubai International Racing Carnival Handicap (held 21 September 2003)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
26. ^ "2002 Result - Emirates Airline Classic (held 22 September 2002)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
27. ^ "2001 Result - Naturalism Stakes (held 23 September 2001)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
28. ^ "Celestial Show (career)". Racing NSW (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015. "1st of 16 CAUL 23Sep00 2000m Good3 NATURALISM Listed $100,000 ($65,000) Jason Brown 53kg Barrier 1 2nd Ancient City (NZ) 56.5kg, 3rd Prince Iluka 53kg 2:02.19 (600m 35.03), 0.1L, 2nd@800m, 2nd@400m, 8-1/5-1"