Naturalism Stakes

MRC Foundation Cup
registered as Naturalism Stakes
Group 3 race
LocationCaulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
Inaugurated1983 (Principal race as VATC Royal Show Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred
SponsorCatanach's Jewellers (2022)
Race information
Distance2,000 metres
SurfaceTurf
WeightOpen handicap
Purse$200,000 (2024)
BonusesWinner 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

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

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

Distance

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

Name

  • 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

  • 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

References

  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