St Nicholas Abbey suffers another setback
St Nicholas Abbey has suffered another setback in his recovery from a broken pastern.
The triple Coronation Cup winner has developed mild laminitis in his left fore. This is the same leg which underwent surgery in July.
The 6-year-old suffered the career-ending injury (23 July) during a routine gallop at Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle base.
He was immediately operated on and his leg was reconstructed using 20 screws and 2 bone plates.
2 days after the initial surgery, he suffered a serious bout of colic and had to be operated on. A month later he suffered another major complication when one of the pins supporting his legs broke.
This latest setback could again be “life-threatening” if the condition worsens.
A statement on Coolmore’s website said: “This is disappointing as he is now weight bearing and walking well on the operated (fractured) leg, which has healed amazingly well to date.
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“Although laminitis could be a life threatening complication, we are hoping the condition will stabilise.
“Obviously the next weeks are critical in his recovery, but St Nicholas Abbey remains comfortable with a good appetite and incredible attitude.”
St Nicholas Abbey is the only horse to win the Coronation Cup 3 times and his connections are hoping that he will recover from the injury to have a career at stud.
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.