Hereby becomes first stakes scorer for Classic-winning dam

Julian Richmond-Watson reached the pinnacle as an owner-breeder when his Look Here landed the Oaks 11 years ago and the mare’s legacy continued when Hereby became her first black type winner in the Listed Londonmetric Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot.

Ralph Beckett has been a constant in the story, training Look Here as well as each of her progeny including the smart staying handicapper Here And Now.

Hereby has risen higher still, this completing a four-timer following three incremental steps through handicaps. Slow to come to hand and unraced until this May, there could be even better to come from the three-year-old following her resolute dismissal of Sapa Inca and Almania.

Richmond-Watson has also bred from Look Here’s Efisio half-sister Look So, who won a maiden and three handicaps with Beckett and winners have continued to appear from his Lawn Stud in Northamptonshire.

"The half-sister has actually been the more successful mare, she has bred (Hoppings Stakes winner) Regardez and (Group 2-placed) Glance, but Look Here’s catching up. They’ve now both had Listed winners, so it’s very good," he said.

Julian Richmond-Watson (right) and Ralph Beckett (left) have enjoyed a fine associationCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I’m thrilled for Look Here, we’ve at last got a really good horse. I was going to take this filly home halfway through the season and she has just improved and improved and improved. They all take time to get the message so I’ve got to learn to be a bit more patient!

"Look Here is in foal to Lope De Vega now. I’ve got a yearling full-sister at home by Pivotal, and I think Ralph can be confident he’ll get that one too!"

Beckett has earmarked a mile and three-quarters Group 3 in France for Hereby before the season is out, and Richmond-Watson might have to wait a little longer before she assumes a role in an estimable broodmare band.

"She’ll come back too - whether we race her next year we’ll see - but at the moment it looks like she might stay in training," he said.

"It looks like I’m going to end up with all the mares at home from the same family, but it’s not a bad family to have."

More news...

Crystal Ocean bought by Coolmore to join their jumps stallion ranks

Ascot winner Arod to begin stud career at Sans Craintes in India

Galileo filly out of Green Room snapped up by MV Magnier for €3m