St Nicholas Abbey
(Healy Racing Photos)

The six-year-old had to have emergency surgery at Fethard Equine Hospital, just two days after he underwent a major leg operation.

The six-times Group One winner fractured a pastern on the gallops at Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stables on Tuesday morning in preparation for Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Coolmore tweeted: "St Nicholas Abbey has made positive progress and is in good form today following yesterday's colic surgery.

"The colic was caused by caecal shutdown (equivalent to the human appendix), which is an extremely painful condition.

"His treatment means he cannot have food for a prolonged period - this is difficult for a horse like St Nicholas Abbey who loves his food.

"He will get parenteral nutrition instead (intravenous nutrition) to fulfill his daily requirements.

"Dr Nathan Slovis, a medicine specialist from the Hagyard Institute in Kentucky, arrived today to oversee his 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."

Saddler's Rock
(Healy Racing Photos)

The John Oxx-trained Saddler's Rock has failed to get his head in front since then and was only eighth to Estimate in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on his latest start.

Aidan O'Brien's Ernest Hemingway is a second Irish entry.

Colour Vision, last year's Gold Cup hero, is one of four Godolphin possibles along with Ahzeemah, Cavalryman and Lost In The Moment.

There is continental interest in the shape of the Andreas Wohler-trained Altano from Germany and Gloomy Sunday, who won the Henry II Stakes at Sandown at the end of May, from Christophe Ferland's French yard.

Others in the mix include Brown Panther, Caucus, Glen's Diamond and Mount Athos.

St Nicholas Abbey
(Healy Racing Photos)

The six-times Group One winner fractured a leg on the gallops at Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stables on Tuesday morning in preparation for Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

St Nicholas Abbey underwent an operation on Wednesday, but still has "many bridges to cross before he is considered out of danger", according to Coolmore Stud, who represent the colt's owners.

They tweeted: "After a lengthy surgery to fuse the pastern St Nicholas Abbey is recuperating in intensive care at John Halley's Fethard Equine Hospital.

"Surgery was carried out at Fethard Equine Hospital in consultation with Dr Dean Richardson, head of surgery at New Bolton Centre Pennsylvania, along with Ger Kelly and Tom O'Brien

"St Nicholas Abbey will remain in intensive care for some time and has many bridges to cross before he is considered out of danger.

"This morning he is well and comfortable and back enjoying his hay.

"We are lucky he is so fit and has a marvellous attitude and temperament which will be vital for his long recovery."

A son of champion sire Montjeu, St Nicholas Abbey was champion two-year-old in 2009 when he crowned his season with a blistering display in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

He was a red-hot favourite for the 2000 Guineas the following year, but could only finish sixth behind Makfi, and was not seen again until the following April when he was beaten at the Curragh.

The six-year-old returned to something like his juvenile form when an easy scorer of the Ormonde Stakes at Chester and went on to further Group One glory in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, a race he went on to win two more times.

Arguably his two greatest successes came on the world stage, however.

He won the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2011, a victory which made his jockey Joseph O'Brien the youngest winner in Breeders' Cup history, and as recently as March he landed the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

St Nicholas Abbey amassed close to £5million in prize-money, having won nine of his 21 races.

Fortify scores under Joseph O'Brien
(Healy Racing Photos)

Joseph O'Brien bounced the 8/11 favourite out in front and asked him for an effort a furlong-and-a-half from home.

He kept on well in the closing stages to record a comprehensive three-and-a-quarter length success over Hot Bed.

The winner was putting to bed a sequence of four runner-up efforts. He was dropping back in trip today having run on late in a hot ten furlong handicap at Leopardstown last Thursday.

“He jumped out and bowled along. The ground is quick but he kept on well to the line. He was entitled to win another one,” said the winning rider afterwards.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)

St Nicholas Abbey
(Healy Racing Photos)

The six-times Group One winner suffered the injury during a routine gallop at Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable on Tuesday morning as he continued his preparations for Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot.

With his racing career now over due to his serious injury, owners John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith are hopeful their vets can save him for a stud career.

Coolmore tweeted: "St Nicholas Abbey suffered a fractured pastern during a routine piece of work at Ballydoyle this morning.

"He is currently in a comfortable condition at Fethard Equine Hospital, where he is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning."

News of his injury broke just after 9am, when it was confirmed his racing days are over.

A tweet read: "St Nicholas Abbey suffered a serious career ending injury at Ballydoyle this morning, vets are currently attending to him. We hope to save him for a career at stud."

A son of champion sire Montjeu, St Nicholas Abbey was champion two-year-old in 2009 when he crowned his season with a blistering display in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

He was a red-hot favourite for the 2000 Guineas the following year, but could only finish sixth behind Makfi, and was not seen again until the following April when he was beaten at the Curragh.

He returned to something like his juvenile form when an easy winner of the Ormonde Stakes at Chester and went on to further Group One glory in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, a race he went on to win twice more.

Arguably his two greatest successes came on the world stage, however.

He won the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2011, a victory which made his jockey Joseph O'Brien the youngest winner in Breeders' Cup history, and as recently as March he landed the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

St Nicholas Abbey amassed close to £5million in win and place prize money having won nine of his 21 races.

Seamie Heffernan
(Healy Racing Photos)

Chroussa (6/4jf) and Kevin Manning tried to burn off all the challengers from the front. The well-backed Snow (3/1 to 6/4 joint favourite this morning) sat in second under Joseph O’Brien, but when this one started to tread water a furlong out it looked like Chroussa on the rail would hang on.

However, Seamie Heffernan produced Tapestry with a withering run down the centre of the course to cut her down by half a length at 7/1.

Aidan O’Brien said: “She’s obviously a lovely filly and has a great pedigree. She’s still a baby and has not been asked to do too much at home. We’ll probably look at something like the Debutante Stakes.”

Boylesports introduced Tapestry into their 1,000 Guineas market at 14/1.

O’Brien added comments on some of his runners yesterday. On Venus De Milo he said: “She gets a mile and a half well. She might go for the race in Cork [the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes].”

Of Just Pretending he commented: “We’ll bring her back to the mile and a quarter race at Goodwood [Nassau Stakes]."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

Darwin is driven out by Joseph O'Brien to beat Gordon Lord Byron (red)
(Healy Racing Photos)

The American import, won a conditions race on his Irish debut at Naas last month and he was sent off the 8/11 favourite (opened on-course at 4/5) to follow up this afternoon.

The three-year-old son of Big Brown raced in second for much of the race and he was niggled along from over two furlongs out.

He hit the front a furlong and a half from home, keeping on well from there to score by a length and three parts.

Gordon Lord Byron had to give twelve pounds to the winner, but he still managed to run a creditable race, finishing second under Wayne Lordan for Tom Hogan at 6/4.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He is not short of pace but he gets a mile well.

"He came to us with a massive reputation. He has got great cruising speed and he was doing good times in America.

"When he won his maiden in America, Todd Pletcher (his former trainer) was jumping around the place and it was obvious to see why he was. We were very lucky to get him.

"He only won a conditions race a few weeks ago and he is still a big baby. He has got options and he could go to Deauville now.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

Wilshire Boulevard is driven out by Seamie Heffernan to beat Oklahoma City (No 5)
(Healy Racing Photos)

Oklahoma City was sent off the even money favourite, with Joseph O’Brien opting to ride the son of Oasis Dream.

The ‘jolly’ attempted to make all but he couldn’t fend off the challenge of the Seamie Heffernan ridden winner, he got to the front a furlong from home and he stayed on well from there to score by three parts of a length.

Oklahoma City kept on to take second, while Mansion House was half a length back in third under Billy Lee for David Wachman.

UK raider, Jallota was sent off the 9/4 second favourite, but the Mick Channontrained colt could only manage fourth under Martin Harley.

Aidan O'Brien said of the runner-up afterwards: "He ran a great race and I was very pleased with him.

"He was a little bit slow away. He was wearing blinkers for the first time today and he had a visor on the last day. We will step him up to seven furlongs."

He went on to talk about the winner, saying: "We always liked this horse a lot. He is a nice horse and he wouldn’t mind going further.

"We left the hood off him today and he settled well.

"He is well-bred and he is a half-brother to Zoffany. The Holy Roman Emperor’s seem to improve."

"Credit to everyone at the Curragh. The ground is good to firm but it is very safe."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

Australia is driven out by Joseph O'Brien to beat the grey Carla Bianca
(Healy Racing Photos)

The bay colt, who is by Galileo and out of the brilliant Ouija Board, was very slow away on his debut but flew home in the closing stages to finish just a neck behind Renaissance Art.

Sent off the 3/10 favourite to make amends today, he was soon settled in second.

He was sent to the front by Joseph O’Brien at the two furlong pole and he was driven out from there to score by three parts of a length.

Newcomer Carla Bianca ran a cracker under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld. The grey daughter of Dansili made the winner work all the way to the line, finishing a gallant second at 14/1.

The other Ballydoyle representative, Juniper Tree (who is a son of five time Group 1 winner Alexander Goldrun), kept on well to take third, five lengths back under Seamie Heffernan at 10/1.

Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: "He is still very babyish. He was slow away again and he seems to go asleep in the stalls.

"We will take our time with him. He could be anything as the penny hasn’t really dropped with him yet. He has a lot of talent."

Boylesports have introduced the winner at 20/1 in the betting for the 2014 Epsom Derby.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

Sir John Hawkins, left
(Healy Racing Photos)

O'Brien withdrew his other Newmarket entries - Coach House, Fountain Of Youth, Stubbs and Wilshire Boulevard - at the 48-hour final declaration stage to give the son of Henrythenavigator chance of a Pattern-race success.

Sir John Hawkins, among a field of 11 for the six-furlong Group Two, landed a Curragh maiden on his debut before finishing third to stablemate War Command in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Richard Hannon is double-handed with Anjaal and Brown Sugar, both good winners of maidens, as he seeks a sixth success in this race.

Richard Fahey looks to Canyari, who created a favourable impression when winning a Doncaster maiden by five lengths on his racecourse bow in May.

Fellow North Yorkshire trainer Kevin Ryan also saddles a promising type in Astaire, who got off the mark first time at York while Saeed bin Suroor has an interesting contender in Figure Of Speech. The Invincible Spirit colt won over the course and distance at the first time of asking last month.

Festive Cheer, who finished third in the Irish Derby, could travel over to France
(Healy Racing Photos)

O'Brien said last week that Derby fourth Battle Of Marengo, who finished runner-up in Royal Ascot's King Edward VII Stakes, was being aimed at the three-year-old Group One over a mile and half.

Mars, who was fourth in last weekend's Coral-Eclipse, Irish Derby third Festive Cheer and possible pacemaker Flying The Flag are also among the 18 left in at Monday's latest forfeit stage.

Andre Fabre is seeking his 12th victory and he has three possible runners at the moment.

They are the sponsors' unexposed Flintshire, OTI Racing's recent Listed winner Au Revoir and his Epsom hope Ocovango.

Ocovango lost his unbeaten record when fifth to Ruler Of The World in the Derby and Ted Voute, racing manager for owner Prince Faisal, said: "Andre's very happy with the horse. I saw him at Saint-Cloud recently.

"Andre is a man of few words and he just said that the horse would be going for the Grand Prix de Paris, just as he said a few weeks earlier that he would be going for the Derby."

Juddmonte also have the John Gosden-trained Excess Knowledge, a close third to Mandour on his reappearance at Sandown last week, while Ann Duffield still has stable star Willie The Whipper engaged.

Rain God and Ana O'Brien
(Healy Racing Photos)

Aidan O'Brien with her third career winner, steering Rain God to win the Bulmers Original Summer Music Night Apprentice Handicap.

O'Brien Jnr, who partnered her first winner on Fairylike at Dundalk on February 15, moved Rain God to lead under two furlongs out before the son of Henrythenavigator stayed on for a three parts of a length win over Little Arrows.

O'Brien Snr later stated “the second horse (Little Arrows) was closing him down and he might have got up in another few strides but I'm delighted he won and will go for another handicap next.”

Perhaps provided trainer O'Brien with his earlier winner in the juvenile fillies' maiden.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson.

Perhaps (right) defeats Chroussa
(Healy Racing Photos)

The sister to Battle Of Marengo looked on course for a comfortable win when looming alongside leader Tahaany entering the straight. However eventual runner-up and newcomer Chroussa made the winner work all the way to the line, with just a neck separating the pair at the line.

Aidan O'Brien stated “she was still green enough in front but I'm delighted with her. She needs to come on but I think she will as she's still only a baby.

She has the makings of a nice filly and we'll step her up slowly; she might go for something like the Silver Flash Stakes next.”

The over-worked crew responsible for naming the Ballydoyle horses are well and truly in their 'grammer phase' at present and Perhaps follows a long line of adverbs, adjectives, nouns and verbs to have run for Aidan O'Brien in recent seasons namely: After, Order, Where, Wrote, Along, Hail, Learn, Soon, Reply, Was, Say, Power, Kissed, Maybe, Though, Hasten, Offer, Exact, Along, Drops, Spin, Know, Up and Why.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson

Great Explorer sees it out from Arch Pearl and Cin Cin at Fairyhouse
(Healy Racing Photos)

Great Explorer's rival Arch Pearl probably did too much too early, on the pace, forEmmet McNamara. He travelled best into the straight but Great Explorer was soon making the best of his way home.

Try as they might, the opposition just couldn't find a way past the market-leader in the closing stages and he eventually accounted for Arch Pearl and Magnolia Ridgeby half a length and the same. Less than three lengths covered the first six home.

O'Brien said of the Galileo colt, trained by his father Aidan: "He's still very green and hopefully will improve with racing." (AM & EM)

Indian Maharaja and Joseph O'Brien
(Healy Racing Photos)

Connections of Indian Maharaja, a son of Galileo and out of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Again, had more anxious moments after the mile maiden than before or during the contest.

The winner stormed to an easy six and a half lengths win but, through greeness, then failed to negotiate the bend away from the stands, dumping his rider Joseph O'Brien to the ground as he skidded into the perimeter railing. The colt then galloped loose and after failing to gain entry, over a plastic railing, into the nearby Golf Course was eventually caught and remounted, unscathed.

Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien was completing a double as was his son Joseph who later stated “we thought he (Indian Maharaja) would be very green and he was even green coming down the hill. He was all over the place looking at everything and then just didn't turn.

“The ground is quick and he quickened well and was nearly going too quick and started to skid. He's a lovely horse though.”

Paddy Power later introduced Indian Maharaja at 25/1 for both the 2014 2,000 Guineas and Derby.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson.

One True Love (centre) defeats Harpist (left)
(Healy Racing Photos)

One True Love had previously finished second four times and third once from her five starts under O'Brien Jnr but the jockey was wise to her quirky ways for much of today's race.

Drawn widest of all in 15, O'Brien kept the filly to the outer before producing her with a challenge early in the straight. The pair moved past heavily backed 11/10 favourite Harpist with a furlong to race and, despite O'Brien dropping his whip and the filly racing with her own Paula Radcliffe styled head-carriage, kept going to record a neck win.

Aidan O'Brien was absent but the winning jockey later stated “I kept her out (for better ground) and the ground is very quick. In fairness she has been running consistently and its nice she's won; hopefully she'll get the hang of it now!”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson.

Al Kazeem & Camelot could renew rivalries in the Group 1 contest 
(Healy Racing Photos)

Connections had considered retiring last year's dual Derby winner following defeats in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot but they have left the four year old in the Group One contest at the latest confirmation stage.

The Montjeu colt is one of three possible runners for Aidan O'Brien with impressive Queen Anne Stakes winner Declaration Of War joined by the promising St James's Palace Stakes third Mars.

The latter is the only three year old in the eight strong entry which is headed by Al Kazeem, conqueror of Camelot on the pair's last two starts.

Mukhadram, second at Royal Ascot, could re-oppose Roger Charlton's five year old with Miblish, Pastorius and The Fugue completing the potential runners.

A delighted Sarah O'Brien on Beach Of Falesa
(Healy Racing Photos)

She's competed at the highest level as a teenager in the eventing sphere and here Sarah covered Beach Of Falesa up at the back.

Basically the Dylan Thomas filly didn't even know she was in a race until getting into the clear from the quarter mile pole.

From some way out Jane Mangan had been making the best of her way home onJim Bolger's Eighteen Summers but Beach Of Falesa was soon in hot pursuit.

She came with an irresistible run to sweep past Eighteen Summers to score by two lengths with the same distance back to the Katie Walsh-ridden favourite Manuka.

Aidan O'Brien commented: "That's great, I'm delighted – that's a special one.

"It's a great day and it's a great track to do it on.

"She's a filly that likes being waited with and she couldn't have waited much longer."

Sarah O'Brien herself explained: "She did it very well. Ana (her sister) rode her a few times and told me what she's like.

"My one had plenty up her sleeve turning in, she was still going fairly well. I was happy – she doesn't like to get to the front too early so it suited me well.

"I'll keep riding away and hopefully I might go to college next year." (GC & EM)

He's certainly photogenic - Ernest Hemingway, with Seamie Heffernan up, at the Curragh

In this Group 3 fourteen furlong event, it looked like it might be more joy for Johnny Murtagh when he led on his own Royal Diamond from before the straight.

Favourite, Voleuse De Coeurs laid down her challenge in the final quarter mile but the longer-priced Ballydoyle runner (a treble for them following on from Bye Bye Birdie and Beach Of Falesa earlier), Ernest Hemingway (12/1, the Joseph O’Brien-ridden El Salvador went off at 7/1) simply sprouted wings from over furlong out, eventually landing the prize by five lengths.

Aidan O'Brien explained: "He ran over a mile and a half before when we used him (as a pacemaker) in the Arc but that wasn't a fair trial (of his staying power).

"When he ran over a mile and two Joseph said he was crying out for a mile and a half.

"It suited to run today and to take our time with him.

"He's a very good mover and probably loved that ground.

"He showed good acceleration today and I'm delighted with him.

"Obviously that's the first time that he's stepped up in distance.

"He's a beautiful horse – a big imposing type." (GC & EM)

Bye Bye Birdie has her rivals well beaten off at the Curragh

Her strength in the market on occasions and a trip to Royal Ascot for the Queen Mary (12th there) showed that Bye Bye Birdie has always been well-regarded at Ballydoyle and it all came together nicely for the Oasis Dream filly today.

Only third market choice behind Heart Focus and Clenor, Bye Bye Birdie made a mockery of her place in the betting, breaking well and making all, staying on strongly in the final quarter mile to triumph by three lengths.

Aidan O'Brien disclosed: "She had the head-gear on today as Joseph thought she was keeping plenty to herself.

"She came back from Ascot 4 kilos heavier so that's usually a sign that one's not over-doing it.

"She can go anywhere now. She has loads of ability."

Boylesports go 16/1 Bye Bye Birdie for the next year's Guineas.

A steward's enquiry not involving the winner saw no alteration to the judge's placings. (GC & EM)

Renaissance Art (centre) won the 1st at the Curragh

Renaissance Art represented Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning in this newcomer's heat. The American-bred races in the familiar Mrs Jim Ryan silks and he sported a hood. Easy-to-back at 10/1, the victorious More Than Ready colt travelled with ease through the seven furlongs.

The question was what he'd find when Manning asked for more and the answer was plenty as he stayed on well in the final furlong to hold off the very promising, beautifully bred Australia.

Ger Flynn, representing Bolger, said: "Kevin was delighted with him and said he'll improve bundles. He's still a baby and he's still learning.

"We're very happy with him and he's a very nice colt. Kevin said it rode like a very good race."

Given that Aidan O'Brien trains Australia, it was a bit of a coincidence that Bolger himself was at Croke Park cheering on human Aidan O'Brien-trained performers.

In this case the O'Brien in question is the Westmeath-native in charge of the Wexford senior football team. They're currently battling with Meath for a place in the Leinster Final.

Boylesports go 33/1 Renaissance Art for next year's Guineas whilt they go 20/1Australia. Paddy Power make the pair 25/1 chances. (GC & EM)

Count Of Limonade is driven out to score by Joseph O'Brien
(Healy Racing Photos)

The three-year-old son of Duke Of Marmalade won a handicap at Dundalk in April over today’s trip of a mile but he was stepped up in distance on his last two outings.

Dropped back to a mile this afternoon he raced in second behind the front-runningScintillula (5/1), edging ahead two furlongs out and keeping on best from there to hold off the aforementioned Jim Bolger trained runner by half a length.

Captain Joy (8/1) finished best of all, half a length back in third under Ronan Whelan for Tracey Collins, while the 2/1 favourite Caponata could only manage a disappointing fourth under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

The winner was well-supported on track, going from 9/2 to his starting price of 7/2.

Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: "He is tough and very like his daddy. He is getting better with age. He likes fast ground and a mile and a quarter is no problem for him. We will look for a Group race for him now."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

Camelot pictured on his way to victory at the Curragh in May
(Healy Racing Photos)

The son of Montjeu kicked off his Classic campaign with a last-gasp victory at Newmarket, before running out a hugely-impressive winner of the Epsom Derby under the trainer's son, Joseph.

Claiming the Irish Derby along the way, the stage was set for Camelot to become the first Triple Crown hero since Nijinsky in 1970 as he was given the green light for the St Leger at Doncaster, but he was narrowly denied on Town Moor by Godolphin's Encke.

A disappointing run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe followed, after which he suffered a severe bout of colic, and although he was brought back for a much-anticipated four-year-old campaign, he has looked a shadow of his former self.

Since managing a workmanlike victory on his return, Camelot has been beaten by Al Kazeem in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and finished fourth behind the same opponent in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

While a tilt at the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 6 will be considered, O'Brien is unsure whether to persevere with a horse who remains of significant value to his connections as a potential stallion.

O'Brien said: "He's a very important horse to us and he's not one we want to take any risks with.

"The last day at Royal Ascot, he obviously hadn't come back to his best and while the Eclipse is still an option, retirement is something we might have to consider as well.

"The spark was never there after his run in the Irish Derby last year. He had a tough race there on testing ground and then had that problem over the winter."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

Ruler Of The World is set for a break
(Healy Racing Photos)

O’Brien said: "He's had three quick enough runs and he got a bit warmer than he did at Epsom.

"I don’t want to make excuses as the winner did it well. We may give him a break now as he deserves it."

O’Brien also ran Festive Cheer in the third Irish Classic of the season, and he kept on well to finish a good third.

He said of him; "I’m delighted with the way he ran. He ran better than he did at Epsom and Ruler Of The World didn’t but that is racing I suppose."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee