St Nicholas Abbey Showing Improvement

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Multiple grade I winner St Nicholas Abbey has made progress and was in good form July 27 following emergency colic surgery, according to reports from owner Coolmore Stud.

The 6-year-old Montjeu horse had surgery July 24 at Fethard Equine Hospital for a fractured pastern and colicked two days later due to caecal shutdown, a condition affecting an area similar to the human appendix. According to Coolmore, this is an extremely painful condition.

"His treatment means he cannot have food for a prolonged period," Coolmore shared via Facebook. "This is difficult for a horse like St Nicholas Abbey who loves his food and usually never leaves an oat! He will get parentral nutrition instead (intravenous nutrition) to fulfill his daily requirements."

St Nicholas Abbey, trained by Aidan O'Brien, was injured at the Ballydoyle training facility July 23. Coolmore stated earlier that the recovery would be long and complicated. Dr. Nathan Solvis, a medicine specialist from the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, arrived July 27 to oversee the horse's ongoing recovery and treatments.

"All surgeons are pleased with the progress he is making with his pastern reconstruction, and he is taking weight on the leg well," the latest Coolmore update said.

St Nicholas Abbey has nine wins, two seconds, and seven third-place finishes in 21 starts for earnings of $7,863,492. His victories include the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf, Investec Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup (three times), Racing Post Trophy, and Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines, all grade or group I events.