Monarchos, who underwent colic surgery July 31 at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute near Lexington, won’t be returning Wednesday, Aug. 8, as planned to Charles Nuckols III’s Nuckols Farm near Midway, Ky.
“He got a little uncomfortable about 6:00 last night but it was nothing major,” Nuckols said Tuesday about the 14-year-old stallion who won the 2001 Kentucky Derby (gr. I). “We loosened his bandage, and I walked him. He hasn’t been on any pain medication or things like that, and they’ve been weanling him off fluids.
“The main thing is his progression. We need to get the proper food through the blockage area, which can’t be operated on. But overall he’s been doing well, and we plan to bring him home toward the weekend."
A son of Maria's Mon—Regal Band, by Dixieland Band, Monarchos also captured the 2001 Florida Derby (gr. I) and placed in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. II).
Monarchos, who has sired 15 stakes winners, stood the 2012 season for $4,000.