Champion Irish racehorse St Nicholas Abbey died the morning of Jan. 14 due to complications from colic. "Surgery revealed a severe strangulating colon torsion that was unviable and he had to be euthanized on humane grounds," Coolmore representatives stated in a release. "This is extremely unfortunate as St Nicholas Abbey had been in terrific form, the laminitis was resolving very well, and the fracture had healed better than expected." The son of Montjeu fractured a bone in his right foreleg while training at Ballydoyle in Ireland July 23, and subsequently underwent surgery. He underwent emergency colic surgery shortly after his initial surgery, but continued on his road to recovery. In a report posted in late October, Coolmore said St Nicholas Abbey had developed laminitis in his left front foot. But a Dec. 10 update from Coolmore Stud spoke positively of the 7-year-old stallion's recovery and the operation had an upbeat outlook on his chances for survival. Unplaced in only three of his 21 career starts, St Nicholas Abbey had nine wins, two seconds, and seven third-place finishes to his credit while earning $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/group I events. © Coolmore Stud
