Naturalism Stakes

MRC Foundation Cup
registered as Naturalism Stakes

Class	Group 3
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

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

• 2025 - Half Yours ^[4]
• 2024 - Positivity ^[5]
• 2023 - Uncle Bryn ^[6]
• 2022 - Smokin' Romans ^[7]
• 2021 - Nonconformist ^[8]
• 2020 - Orderofthegarter ^[9]
• 2019 - Brimham Rocks ^[10]
• 2018 - Night's Watch ^[11]
• 2017 - Harlem ^[12]
• 2016 - Jameka ^[13]
• 2015 - Magnapal ^[14]
• 2014 - Gris Caro ^[15]
• 2013 - Mr O'Ceirin ^[16]
• 2012 - Folding Gear ^[17]
• 2011 - December Draw ^[18]
• 2010 - Rainbow Styling ^[19]
• 2009 - Red Lord ^[20]
• 2008 - Zagreb ^[21]
• 2007 - Douro Valley ^[22]
• 2006 - Zipping ^[23]
• 2005 - Sarrera ^[24]
• 2004 - Confectioner ^[25]
• 2003 - Rose Archway ^[26]
• 2002 - Pentastic ^[27]
• 2001 - Inaflury ^[28]
• 2000 - Celestial Show ^[29]
• 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

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races

References

1. "Winners and Past Results for the Naturalism Stakes". Progroupracing.com (Aus). 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
2. "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. "2025 Result – Tobin Brothers Naturalism Stakes (held 20 September 2025)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
5. "Full Result 6.35 Caulfield (AUS) | 21 September 2024 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com.
6. "Full Result 7.20 Caulfield (AUS) | 23 September 2023 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com.
7. "2022 Result – Catanach Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup (held 17 September 2022)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
8. "2021 Result – Catanach Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup (held 18 September 2021)". breednet.com. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
9. "2020 Result – Catanach Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup (held 19 September 2020)". breednet.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
10. "2019 Result – Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (held 21 September 2019)". breednet.com. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
11. "2018 Result – Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (held 22 September 2018)". breednet.com. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
12. "2017 Result – Bendigo Bank East Malvern MRC Foundation Cup (held 23 September 2017)". breednet.com. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
13. "2016 Result – Naturalism Stakes (held 17 September 2016)". breednet.com. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
14. "2015 Result – M R C Foundation Cup (held 19 September 2015)". breednet.com. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
15. "2014 Result – Jack London Naturalism Stakes (held 20 September 2014)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
16. "2013 Result – D'Urban Naturalism Stakes (held 21 September 2013)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
17. "2012 Result – D'Urban Naturalism Stakes (held 22 September 2012)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
18. "2011 Result – D'Urban Naturalism Stakes (held 17 September 2011)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
19. "2010 Result – D'Urban Naturalism Stakes (held 18 September 2010)". breednet.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
20. "2009 Result – Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (held 19 September 2009)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
21. "2008 Result – Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (held 20 September 2008)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
22. "2007 Result – Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (held 22 September 2007)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
23. "2006 Result – Naturalism Stakes (held 23 September 2006)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
24. "2005 Result – Nad Al Sheba Club Classic (held 17 September 2005)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
25. "2004 Result – Dubai Duty Free (held 19 September 2004)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
26. "2003 Result – Dubai International Racing Carnival Handicap (held 21 September 2003)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
27. "2002 Result – Emirates Airline Classic (held 22 September 2002)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
28. "2001 Result – Naturalism Stakes (held 23 September 2001)". Racing Vic. (Aus.). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
29. "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