Nathaniel chalked up his first Stakes winner in the Southern Hemisphere when Steel Prince landed the Listed Andrew Ramsden race at Flemington on 25th May. 

In doing so this gelding from Nathaniel’s first crop booked himself an automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup for his connections, trainer Anthony Freedman and owners Collins St Partners and BN Griffith et Al.  He was also winning his fifth race on the trot this year.

Jockey Damien Oliver said: “He’s just incredibly tough and he’s incredibly genuine.”

Trainer Anthony Freedman said. “I don’t think I’ve had a tougher or more genuine horse than him. He’ll never win a race by much no matter where you ran him, but he doesn’t like getting beaten. He’s got a great record and he’s earned his chance. He’ll run well in a Melbourne Cup and I think he can get a cheque.

A 500,000gns yearling and winner in Ireland as a three-year-old, Steel Prince was bred by Grangecon Stud out of the Danehill mare Steel Princess, also dam of the Gr.1 Canadian International winner Sarah Lynx and Group winner Sugar Boy.