The 2026 Naturalism Stakes runs on Saturday, September 19, 2026 offering the winner a ballot exemption for the Caufield Cup field!
The Naturalism Stakes 2026 is one of Caulfield’s most influential spring staying races, a Group 3 contest over 2000m that consistently shapes the path toward the major Cups. Sitting at a crucial point in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, the race attracts in‑form stayers chasing ballot‑exemption opportunities, proven performers building toward peak fitness, and emerging talents looking to stamp themselves as genuine contenders for the big features ahead. With its strong history of producing Caulfield Cup runners and reliable form lines, the Naturalism Stakes is a must‑watch event for punters, offering a deep field, tactical racing, and high‑value betting angles that set the tone for the staying ranks each September.
2026 Naturalism Stakes Odds
The latest Naturalism Stakes 2026 betting odds and links to our Caulfield racing markets will be open below as soon as released so stay tuned for the top odds on the Caulfield Cup-bound stayers this spring.
Naturalism Stakes 2026 Results
| 14. Zahrann (6) J: Ethan Brown 55kg x53x4 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 3. Saint George (16) J: Mark Zahra 58.5kg 4×411 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 2. Asterix (10) J: Ben Melham 58.5kg 661×5 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 16. Machine Gun Gracie (9) J: Luke Currie 54kg 10×65 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 5. Wootton Verni (4) J: Craig Williams 58kg 16×80 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 18. Zakouma (5) J: William Pike 54kg 171×6 T: Grahame Begg | ||
| 19. Kings Valley (14) J: Jamie Melham 54kg 91×08 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 11. Deakin (1) J: Lachlan Neindorf 55.5kg 8x5x3 T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | ||
| 1. Knight’s Choice (11) J: Blake Shinn 59kg 708×0 T: J G Symons & S Laxon | ||
| 4. Berkeley Square (15) J: Declan Bates 58kg 16×56 T: Dan O’sullivan | ||
| 10. Soulcombe (2) J: Beau Mertens 56kg 372×0 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 6. Campaldino (13) J: Jordan Childs 57.5kg 172×9 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 7. Onesmoothoperator (8) J: Luke Nolen 57kg 10x9x T: Tim Fitzsimmons | ||
| 12. Strictly Business (3) J: John Allen 55kg 5802x T: Thomas Carberry | ||
| 8. Okita Soushi (7) J: Billy Egan 56kg 0x0x0 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 9. River Of Stars (12) J: Jye Mcneil 56kg 447×0 T: Chris Waller |
Naturalism Stakes Tips
Good Naturalism Stakes tips include backing progressive stayers with form over 2000m plus and any Group 1 horses down in grade.
Gallopers with a strong spring lead-up and solid strike-rate at the Caulfield track also make a nice bet in Naturalism Stakes tipping.
Ladbrokes Tip: The Naturalism Stakes serves as a good lead-up into the Caulfield Cup
2026 Naturalism Stakes Predictions & Best Bets
Our Ladbrokes’ insider Naturalism Stakes 2026 betting tips and Group 3 racing picks for the Caulfield Cup lead-up race will be detailed below the week of the race so stay tuned for the horses to lock-in for the win and to take in Group 1 futures markets on the mile and a half feature next race.
Held on a weekend in mid to late September during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at Caulfield Racecourse, the Naturalism Stakes is a Group 3 race for horses aged three and above contested over 2000m.
The quality handicap race is one of three Group races at the meeting that is headlined by the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and also features the Caulfield Guineas-bound three-year-olds facing off in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) for the fillies.
The Naturalism Stakes has been recently been run as the MRC Foundation Cup and offers $200,000 in prize money as well as a ballot exemption into the Group 1 $6.55 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) the following month.
Jameka (2016) and Half Yours (2025) are the latest stayes to complete the Naturalism Stakes – Caulfield Cup double.
Earlier, in 2021 the Naturalism Stakes winner Nonconformist finished second in both the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes and Caulfield Cup results that spring.
In 2022 the Naturalism Stakes winner Smokin’ Romans won the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at his next start, while that spring’s subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip finished third in the Naturalism.
Half Yours (2025) not only won the Naturalism that year but also went on to become the 13th horse in history to do the coveted Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double!
Naturalism Stakes Race Info
- Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Track: Caulfield Racecourse
- Distance: 2000m
- Conditions: 3YOs and above – Quality Handicap
- Status: Group 3
- Prize Money: $200,000
- First Run: 1983
2026 Naturalism Stakes Results
The official Naturalism Stakes 2026 results & finishing order will be published below once the race is run and won on Saturday, September 19, 2026 followed by the official finishing order after the event.
- #14 Zahrann
- #3 Saint George
- #2 Asterix
Naturalism Stakes Betting
Naturalism Stakes betting markets are dominated each year by in-form staying types with proven ability over 2000m and further in distance.
Well-weighted runners, those with a strong record at the Caulfield track as well as any past Group 1 horses down in grade are usually at short Naturalism Stakes odds in the spring.
Nonconformist ($4.40 in 2021) and Half Yours ($2.60 in 2025) are the latest favourites in Naturalism Stakes betting to win.
There was a notable upset in 2023 with Uncle Bryn improving on his second the year before to win at Naturalism Stakes odds of $26!
In 2024 the Naturalism Stakes winner was also at double-figures with Positivity saluting at $16.
2026 Naturalism Stakes Big Bets Tracker
Track the big money Naturalism Stakes bets on this weekend’s key Caulfield Cup lead-up right here!
Naturalism Stakes Field
The Naturalism Stakes race field attracts a line-up of the season’s promising stayers heading towards a Caulfield Cup target the next month.
Following the Naturalism Stakes, some of the more dour stayers may target the Group 3 The Bart Cummings on Turnbull Stakes Day as a Melbourne Cup lead-up.
2026 Naturalism Stakes Field
The official Naturalism Stakes 2026 Final Field & Barriers are released the Wednesday of race week and will be published below.
The Naturalism Stakes 2026 field features a capacity line-up of Caulfield Cup hopefuls led in betting by the early Ciaron Maher-trained market mover Zahrann coming off a close fourth fresh in the Listed Heatherlie Handicap.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Knight’s Choice
J: Blake Shinn
T: J G Symons & S Laxon |
x708x0 | G | 11 | 59kg | |
|
2. Asterix
J: Ben Melham
T: Chris Waller |
1661×5 | G | 10 | 58.5kg | |
|
3. Saint George
J: Mark Zahra
T: Ciaron Maher |
14×411 | G | 16 | 58.5kg | |
|
4. Berkeley Square
J: Declan Bates
T: Dan O’sullivan |
316×56 | G | 15 | 58kg | |
|
5. Wootton Verni
J: Craig Williams
T: Chris Waller |
516×80 | G | 4 | 58kg | |
|
6. Campaldino
J: Jordan Childs
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
5172×9 | G | 13 | 57.5kg | |
|
7. Onesmoothoperator
J: Luke Nolen
T: Tim Fitzsimmons |
010x9x | G | 8 | 57kg | |
|
8. Okita Soushi
J: Billy Egan
T: Ciaron Maher |
x0x0x0 | H | 7 | 56kg | |
|
9. River Of Stars
J: Jye Mcneil
T: Chris Waller |
0447×0 | M | 12 | 56kg | |
|
10. Soulcombe
J: Beau Mertens
T: Chris Waller |
4372×0 | G | 2 | 56kg | |
|
11. Deakin
J: Lachlan Neindorf
T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes |
68x5x3 | G | 1 | 55.5kg | |
|
12. Strictly Business
J: John Allen
T: Thomas Carberry |
x5802x | M | 3 | 55kg | |
| 13. Valiant King (3) Scratched: | |||||
|
14. Zahrann
J: Ethan Brown
T: Ciaron Maher |
7x53x4 | H | 6 | 55kg | |
| 15. Piggyback (1) Scratched: | |||||
|
16. Machine Gun Gracie
J: Luke Currie
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
910×65 | M | 9 | 54kg | |
| 17. Travolta (12) Scratched: | |||||
|
18. Zakouma
J: William Pike
T: Grahame Begg |
1171×6 | G | 5 | 54kg | |
|
19. Kings Valley
J: Jamie Melham
T: Ciaron Maher |
191×08 | G | 14 | 54kg | |
| 20. Darkbonee (10) Scratched: | |||||
2026 Naturalism Stakes Nominations
The Naturalism Stakes 2026 Nominations are taken the Monday of race week, and the list of early entries will be provided below once announced.
Naturalism Stakes Form Guide
The Naturalism Stakes form guide details to punters all the need-to-know information from trainers and jockeys to barriers and lead-up runs.
The Naturalism Stakes form has also stacked up in tougher spring races in recent years including the Caulfield Cup and Moonee Valley’s prestigious Cox Plate.
2026 Naturalism Stakes Form Guide
A link to our detailed Naturalism Stakes 2026 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Past Naturalism Stakes / MRC Foundation Cup Results
Notable recent Naturalism Stakes / MRC Foundation Cup winners include Zipping (2006), Mr O’Ceirin (2012), Jameka (2016), subsequent dual Group 1 Australian Cup hero Harlem (2017), Nonconformist (2021) and Half Yours (2025) who made history taking out that spring’s Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double.
Positivity (2024) was the last Naturalism Stakes winning mare and the first since Jameka in 2016.
Harlem holds the current Naturalism Stakes race record winning over 2000m in 2017 in 2 minutes 00:43 seconds.
Recent Naturalism Stakes / MRC Foundation Cup Winners
Past Naturalism Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to the year 1994 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Half Yours | Berkshire Breeze | Grand Pierro |
| 2024 | Positivity | Future History | Gear Up |
| 2023 | Uncle Bryn | Floating Artist | Alaskan God |
| 2022 | Smokin’ Romans | Uncle Bryn | Gold Trip |
| 2021 | Nonconformist | Delphi | Tralee Rose |
| 2020 | Orderofthegarter | Chapada | Steel Prince |
| 2019 | Brimham Rocks | So You Win | Sikandarabad |
| 2018 | Night’s Watch | Rising Red | Odeon |
| 2017 | Harlem | Samovare | Stampede |
| 2016 | Jameka | Gallante | Berisha |
| 2015 | Magnapal | The United States | Genuine Lad |
| 2014 | Gris Caro | Entirely Platinum | Bonfire |
| 2013 | Mr O’Ceirin | Kesampour | Bit Of Hell |
| 2012 | Folding Gear | Mr O’Ceirin | Exceptionally |
| 2011 | December Draw | At First Sight | Lucky Eighty Eight |
| 2010 | Rainbow Styling | Valdemoro | Moudre |
| 2009 | Red Lord | Light Vision | Majestical |
| 2008 | Zagreb | Light Vision | Baughurst |
| 2007 | Douro Valley | Maldivian | Dolphin Jo |
| 2006 | Zipping | Show Barry | Growl |
| 2005 | Sarrera | Emerald Jack | Swift Tango |
| 2004 | Confectioner | Evil Master | Devastating |
| 2003 | Rose Archway | Another Warrior | Vicksburg |
| 2002 | Pentastic | Spirit Of Westbury | Thong Classic |
| 2001 | Inaflury | Celestial Show | Natch |
| 2000 | Celestial Show | Ancient City | Prince Iluka |
| 1999 | Second Coming | Figurehead | Ancient City |
| 1998 | Our Unicorn | Kristalero | Vitrinite |
| 1997 | Skybeau | Waterford Road | Dendy Park |
| 1996 | Peep On The Sly | Centico | Prince Calaf |
| 1995 | Campaign Warrior | Native Zam | Skliero |
| 1994 | Sugarstone | Shatin Heights | Paxmat Will |
FAQs
How do I bet on the 2026 Naturalism Stakes?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at Ladbrokes. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page
Which horse will win the 2026 Naturalism Stakes?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Naturalism Stakes is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out Ladbrokes in the lead up to the race for full form information.
When is the Naturalism Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Naturalism Stakes is set to run on Saturday September 19 at Caulfield during the early stages of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival as a key Caulfield Cup lead-up race on Underwood Stakes Day. It is scheduled as Caulfield Race 8 at 4:15pm (AEST) on the 10-race Underwood Stakes Day card.
What is the prize money for the Naturalism Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Naturalism Stakes prize money is set at $200,000 which is paid from 1st to 8th place including $120,000 going to the Naturalism Stakes winner who also gains a Golden Ticket into the Caulfield Cup field.
Where is the Naturalism Stakes 2026?
The 2026 Naturalism Stakes is set to run a Melbourne's Caulfield Racecourse, home to many iconic races including the Caulfield Cup each October, which is located at Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145.
What distance is the Naturalism Stakes run over?
The Naturalism Stakes is run over 2000 metres, giving stayers a genuine early‑spring test of stamina and tempo at Caulfield.
How many horses run in the Naturalism Stakes?
The Naturalism Stakes generally draws a capacity field of 16 runners, ensuring a deep and competitive early‑spring staying contest at Caulfield.
Who won the 2025 Naturalism Stakes?
The 2025 Naturalism Stakes was won by five-year-old St Jean gelding Half Yours at $2.60 favouritism for trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy with jockey Jamie Kah aboard on 54.5kg to win by 3.5 lengths on a Good (3) track in a tie of 2:01.12. Half Yours would go on to complete that spring's Caulfield Cup - Melbourne Cup double making him one of the standout Naturalism Stakes winners in history.