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St Nicholas Abbey suffers another setback


  • St Nicholas Abbey has suffered another “major complication” in his recovery from a broken pastern.

    The triple Coronation Cup winner suffered the career-ending injury last month (23 July) during a routine gallop at Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle base.

    The 6-year-old underwent a life-saving operation to repair the injury — which required the bone to be held in place by 20 screws and 2 bone plates.

    “A major complication in St Nicholas Abbey’s recovery arose on Monday evening as he appeared a little uncomfortable,” said owners Coolmore in a statement today (28 August)

    “Radiographs showed the steel weight-bearing pin in his cannon bone had broken and after consultation, the surgeons decided to take it out.

    St Nicholas X-Ray

    The damaged pin can be seen clearly on this radiograph. [Picture from Coolmore]

    “This procedure was done Monday night, the leg has been re-cast and St Nicholas Abbey is now bearing weight on the fractured leg.”

    “This development has come sooner than we would have ideally liked, so the next week is a very tentative period for us.”

    Having initially undergone the surgery to repair the fracture last month (24 July) St Nicholas Abbey suffered a serious bout of colic 3 days later and had to have further surgery.

    The statement added: “This morning St Nicholas Abbey is comfortable and is walking as well as can be expected.

    “His temperament and demeanour are a tremendous plus both for him and the team treating him.”

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