With Bel Esprit and Love Conquers All both returning to Sun Stud's Victorian base this season to stand from Queensland they are certainly making sure that breeders know that they are back to do business.
In a brilliant result for Love Conquers All, his courageous son, I'm a Rippa won another Group 3 in an all-the-way win in the George Moore Stakes over 1200m at Doomben.
Trained by Tony Gollan, he has won eight races and $1,166,757 in prize money and is no doubt an absolute ripper for his connections.
The tough sprinter has placed in nine of his last 11 starts, including now wins in a pair of Group 3's – the George Moore & BRC Sprint, as well as the Listed Eye Liner and the $1 million-dollar Magic Millions QTIS Open over 1300 metres.
"I'm A Rippa has run 1.8.43 which surprised me today. He can now go on to race in the summer sprints and then finish up in either the QTIS Millions race or the Magic Millions Cup," Gollan said post-race.
Nominations at Sun Stud, Phil Marshall is now more than ever looking forward to the exciting future for their stallion who continues to exceed all expectations.
"Love Conquers All has remarkable first crop statistics; 78% winners to runners, 9% stakes horses and a winners average earnings index of $122,122."
"The crop has accumulated $4.4m in prize money from just 46 runners and includes I'm A Rippa, 5-time stakes winner Savanna Amour, Group 2 placed Perilous Love, stakes performed two-year-old's Par Oneri and Kubis, 4-time metropolitan winner Fortensky and the flying machine Mr Marbellouz (6 wins from 10 starts), amongst others."
"Love Conquers All well and truly punches above his weight. He has an outstanding strike rate from small foal crops and we are looking forward to seeing him progress through the stallion ranks once the greater numbers come through the system."
Purchased by his trainer as a $55,000 purchase at the 2015 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale, Gollan has indicated that the talented five-year-old will now head towards the rich Gold Coast race day on January 12 to defend his 2018 title. Bred by Mary Lee Trivett, out of her two-time winning Seidnazar mare Derippa, I'm A Rippa is the first foal of his dam.
Excitingly, there is an unraced two-year-old full-sister named She's Our Rippa who was purchased by Gollan Racing/John Foote Bloodstock for $80,000 at this year's January sale, and is in his stable ready to start her racetrack career.
Love Conquers All has 27 individual winners and over $1.15m in progeny earnings for the 2018/19 season and has yearlings entered in the Magic Millions, Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
While the other stallion coming down from the sunny state this year, back home to rule the roost, is the incredible producer Bel Esprit.
Having had a quartet of winners for the gun stallion last Thursday, the 8-time Champion Victorian sire scored a double at Kyneton via Bouffon and impressive three-year-old Pickup The Pieces and then followed up with another deuce at the Pakenham night meeting with Ambitious Gem and feel good story Antah, who resumed with a victory after 889 days off!
Nominations at Sun Stud, Phil Marshall is proud of their flagship stallion and couldn't be happier to have him in Victoria where he belongs.
"Bel Esprit is having a spectacular run of success. He sired eleven winners in six days last week, including his 650th career winner, which is a phenomenal feat."
"With 47 individual winners on the board before the end of November, he is on track to post a huge tally this season. Remembering of course that he set a then record of 155 winners in a single season in 2012/13," Marshall said.
"Bel Esprit is a real asset to the Victorian breeding industry and Sun Stud are proud to have him on our roster."
Remarkably, Bel Esprit success continues unabated this season progeny earnings already claiming $2,311,253 in prize money. Bel Esprit is equal 12th, alongside Fastnet Rock, on the 2018/19 Australian sires table for winners and is placed 24th for prize money.
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