The commercial focus of thoroughbred breeding does tend to concentrate on the stallions, but when a former top class mare delivers two winners in two days and one of them looks like a future stakes-winner, we like to give her the recognition she deserves.

A winner of over $800,000 in prizemoney, Gallant Tess was trained throughout her career by David Payne and won five races from 1200 to 1600 metres with highlight wins in the Group II ATC Chelmsford Stakes and Breeders Classic. Her true class was illustrated by five Group I placings in elite races such as the AJC Epsom Handicap and STC Coolmore Classic.

Gallant Tess was raced by John Cordina, who has also enjoyed much success with the daughter of Galileo in her subsequent career as a broodmare based at Kitchwin Hills.

Gallant Tess has had six named foals so far, five of which have raced and three are winners, her first foal being stakes-winning Fastnet Rock colt Rock Hero, who now stands at stud in Victoria.

Her second two winners both saluted over the weekend with promising stayer All Too Soon scoring at Rosehill for David Payne, while three year old Snitzel filly Tatiara (sold at Inglis Easter for $580,000) broke her maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday for the Robbie Laing stable.

A four year-old mare by All Too Hard, All Too Soon has always shown real staying promise and looked a class above at Rosehill winning under 61.5kg over 1500 metres at her second run back from a spell. She's already won over $185,000 in prizemoney and David Payne will no doubt be looking to gain valuable Black Type with her over the spring.

Gallant Tess has a two year-old Snitzel colt that was passed in shy of his $1million reserve at Inglis Easter this year. Named Crown Affair, he too will be trained by David Payne.

She also has a yearling colt by Snitzel, but no foal this year after missing in 2017.

Images Steve Hart.