St Nicholas Abbey will not run in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday after trainer Aidan O'Brien revealed this morning that the colt has a slight muscle injury high up in his hind quarter
The Montjeu colt was a red-hot winter favourite for the Derby following an impressive victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last autumn.
However he could only manage sixth behind Makfi on his reappearance in the Stan James 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, and drifted in the Derby ante-post market last week after reports of some disappointing home work.
O'Brien said: "St Nicholas Abbey was due to work first thing this morning, however when he came out of his box we noticed he was stiff behind."
"He had looked slightly stiff yesterday evening. His work on Friday last was a little lacklustre for him and that was the first time we had seen anything different but he was fine afterwards."
"He was immediately examined and scanned by our vets this morning. They found a slight muscle injury high up in his hind quarter. This meant he could not work today and we were advised to give him an easy few days."
"Obviously this will preclude him from running in the Investec Derby on Saturday. We always thought St Nicholas Abbey could walk on water and it is very unfortunate for all concerned to have a setback like this so close to the big race."
