After taking seven starts to break his maiden at Rockhampton, I'm A Rippa looked an unlikely future millionaire, yet here he is breaking through the magical seven-figure barrier following a courageous performance in Saturday's Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich.
After looking beaten, the 4yo son of Love Conquers All climbed off the canvas to turn back the challenge of Tyzone (Written Tycoon) by half a head, with two and a half-lengths back to Privlaka (Mossman) in third place.
The winner of the Group III BRC Sprint two starts back and the $1 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m) at the Gold Coast back in January, I'm A Rippa advances his record to 7 wins, 7 seconds and 4 thirds from 26 starts with earnings of $1,039,507.
He becomes the third millionaire for trainer Tony Gollan after the brothers Spirit Of Boom and Temple Of Boom.
"The Boom brothers were both Group One horses but this bloke has won $1 million on sheer guts. He's just a tough little bloke who never gives in," Gollan told AAP.
"This time last year he was a restricted class horse and now he's won a Magic Millions QTIS race, a BRC Sprint and an Eye Liner Stakes.
"He spelled so well and since he's come back he's really been a preparation ahead of what I thought he could do.
"I might spell him for the spring or the Brisbane summer."
Gollan purchased the son of Love Conquers All for $55,000 at the 2015 Magic Million Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
The first foal of the 2-time winning Seidnazar mare Derippa, I'm A Rippa (pictured as a yearling) is the first stakes-winner in the family for four generations.
Derippa has an unraced 2yo Sizzling colt named Jack Derippa, who was purchased by Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock for $140,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale and a yearling full brother to I'm a Rippa who was purchased by Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock for $80,000 at this year's January sale.
Derippa has a weanling Foxwedge filly and was covered by Spirit Of Boom last spring.
I'm a Rippa is one of two stakes-winners for Love Conquers All who stands the 2018 season at Sun Stud for a fee of $8,000 live foal.
