NATURALISM
He was a brilliant horse that had the ability to run fast, slick sectionals with a genuine turn of foot
Naturalism burst onto the scene in 1992 when he clashed several times in the autumn classics in Sydney with Kiwi champion Veandercross. Six months later, Naturalism was considered the country's best weight-for-age horse and was sent out the even-money favourite in the Cox Plate. It turned out to be a Cox Plate special with the remarkable Super Impose taking the event from the likes of Let's Elope and Better Loosen Up, but not so lucky for Naturalism and his jockey Mick Dittman as they parted ways near the 600-metre mark, hindered by a fallen horse in a moment of mayhem. Just a few weeks later Naturalism proved the 1992 Cox Plate was the race that got away when he was narrowly beaten into second place in the Japan Cup.
Foaled in New Zealand on 19 October 1988, Naturalism was a bay stallion sired by Palace Music, a Kentucky-bred, French-trained stallion who won the Champion Stakes in 1984. At stud, Palace Music was best known as the sire of the American champion Cigar. Naturalism was purchased as a yearling for A$35,000 by Anthony Freedman. His mother was Zephyr Souba, out of the brilliant NZ sprint legend, Zephyr Bay, who held the Randwick 1000m record for 35 years. Naturalism's speed and slick turn of foot probably related to this part of his dams pedigree.
Naturalism's wins included three Group One races, the AJC Derby, Rosehill Guineas and Caulfield Stakes and another eight black-type races. After he was beaten by Star Of The Realm in the 1991 VRC Derby, Naturalism developed into Australia's best WFA performer. He had some memorable battles with Veandercross in the autumn of 1992, being beaten in the Canterbury Guineas before exacting his revenge in the Rosehill Guineas and AJC Derby.
According to the Freedman brothers website, Lee Freedman rated Naturalism as one of the five best horses he ever trained. The website also says that "Probably his greatest performance was his second in the Japan Cup, as he wasn't really a 2400m horse." Naturalism retired from racing in 1993 and stood at Segenhoe Stud before relocating to Meringo Stud. He stood at stud for 17 seasons but only sired the four Stakes winners, with none of his progeny winning a Group 1. Naturalism died at Meringo Stud, New South Wales, Australia, on 13 July 2018.
RACE RECORD - : 12- 9-3
EARNINGS - $3,285,626
BMW Vase (1991)
Alister Clark Stakes (1992)
Australian Derby (1992)
J. F. Feehan Stakes (1992)
Memsie Stakes (1992)
Rosehill Guineas (1992)
Turnbull Stakes (1992)
Apollo Stakes (1993)
Canterbury Cup (1993)
Caulfield Stakes (1993)