Romantic Symphony hits the right notes in G3 Prix Lady O’Reilly

Romantic Symphony exacted her revenge on Calasita and secured a first G3 success with a comfortable victory in the Prix Lady O’Reilly at Deauville, France, on Sunday, 16 August. 

The full-sister to G1 winners Yibir and Wild Illusion had filled the runner-up spot behind the same filly in the Listed Prix de Thiberville at Longchamp in June and was re-opposing having won Newmarket’s Listed Chalice Stakes earlier this month. 

Settled in second-last of the seven runners, Romantic Symphony made good headway around the field turning in to dispute third at the top of the straight. 

Calasita made her challenge up the inside rail soon after, with Romantic Symphony quickening towards the centre of the course to head her rival approaching the final furlong. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained filly forged clear in the closing strides under William Buick to score by an easy length and a quarter. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Romantic Symphony is an improving filly. We learned a lot more about her on her last start at Newmarket, when I told Billy [Loughnane] to drop her in and ride her like the rest of her family. They all loved coming off the pace and she seems to enjoy it too. 

“She is gaining confidence and getting stronger with each run. The family tend to get better with age, so I see no reason why she shouldn’t follow suit, and we might look at something like G1 E P Taylor Stakes.”