The Irish Strike Again in the Metropolitan

Mark Smith - Saturday September 30

The $750,000 Group I The Metropolitan (2400m) has been underpinning the Irish economy in recent years and nothing changed on Saturday as Galileo's eight-year-old son Foundry (IRE) gave Melbourne-based jockey Michael Dee a first Group I feature.  

Glencadam Gold (IRE) started the ball rolling for the Irish breds in 2012 before another son of Galileo, the German-bred son Seville, who was also owned by Lloyd Williams scored the following year.

Advertisement

Then followed Oasis Dream gelding Opinion in 2014, Hurricane Run's Magic Hurricane (IRE) in 2015 and Sir Percy's Sir John Hawkwood (IRE) last year.


Owned by Lloyd Williams and trained by Robert Hickmott at Macedon Lodge, Foundry was making his third run back after nearly a year off the scene.

He hit the line full of running to defeat the Darren Weir-trained Big Duke (Raven's Pass) by half a length. Stephen Marsh's Chocante (Shocking) one and a quarter lengths back in third.   (photos Steve Hart)

"I'm speechless, I've never ridden a winner at this track, I've been up here a few times now. To win a Group One, I just couldn't be happier," Dee said.

"To Lloyd Williams and the team at Macedon Lodge, thank you very much for having me on.

"The horse is a beauty, he's just lovely to ride, they brought him here in tip-top shape and he ran accordingly.

"He jumped really well and got there quite easily, I didn't have to use up much gas early."

"I got pushed out three-wide on the bend, but luckily I was able to come back and land in the one-one.

"From then on he travelled beautifully throughout, the team said once he got to the 800m to make it a true staying test so I let him stride and to the horse's credit, he toughed it right out."


Foundry (IRE) is a brother to Housesofparliament the winner of the Group III Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket and third in the Group I St Ledger.

His dam Sharp Lisa (Dixieland Band) won the Grade I Santa Anita Las Virgenes Stakes and is a half-sister to Grade I Donn Handicap winner Spring At Last (Silver Deputy).

Foundry becomes the 259th stakes winner and 69th Group I winner for Coolmore Stud's perennial champion Galileo.

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.