St Nicholas Abbey passes away

St Nicholas Abbey was victorious in six Group 1 contests. Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com.

QIPCO British Champions Series superstar St Nicholas Abbey has sadly passed away after suffering a repeat bout of colic on Tuesday morning.

The seven-year-old, who was retired following a pastern injury sustained at Ballydoyle gallops in July, had been recovering well until a severe strangulating colon torsion was found.

St Nicholas Abbey will now be buried in the graveyard at Coolmore following an astounding career that was glittered with multiple Group 1 successes.

As a two-year-old, he was an impressive victor of the Racing Post Trophy, beating Elusive Pimpernel by nearly four lengths.

The victory, added with the public confidence from his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, meant that only a three-year-old career filled with Classic and Group 1 triumph would do. Unfortunately, it did not materialise.

After finishing only sixth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, St Nicholas Abbey would not run for the rest of the season – missing a tilt at the Investec Derby for which he was the ante-post favourite.

The decision to rest the Coolmore-owned horse, though, turned out to be the right one.

Following his break, St Nicholas Abbey’s career would flourish.

Firstly when winning the Ormonde Stakes at Chester, before embarking overseas to reap Grade and Group 1 titles in America and Dubai.

It is, however, St Nicholas Abbey’s three successive victories in the Coronation Cup at Epsom that will live longest in the memory for racing fans.

Between 2011 and 2013, the son of Montjeu would enter into racing folklore with superb performances to beat the likes of middle distance heroine Midday, international superstar Red Cadeaux and Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden.

It is fitting then that St Nicholas Abbey’s last run on a racecourse is where he registered his greatest achievement and his sixth Group 1 victory.

Look back at St Nicholas Abbey’s career highlights in our Facebook album.