St Nicholas Abbey has been described as comfortable after suffering a major complication on his road to recovery from a fractured leg.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained six-time Group One winner badly damaged a pastern in a track work-out five weeks ago which ended his racing career.

Just a few days after undergoing surgery he had to have another operation for colic.

All seemed to be going well until it was discovered on Monday evening that the steel weight-bearing pin in his cannon bone had broken.

"A major complication in St Nicholas Abbey's recovery arose on Monday evening as he appeared a little uncomfortable," the six-year-old's owners Coolmore tweeted.

"Radiographs showed the steel weight-bearing pin in his cannon bone had broken and after consultation, the surgeons decided to take it out.

"This procedure was done Monday night, the leg has been re-cast and St Nicholas Abbey is now bearing weight on the fractured leg.

"This development has come sooner than we would have ideally liked, so the next week is a very tentative period for us.

"This morning St Nicholas Abbey is comfortable and is walking as well as can be expected.

"His temperament and demeanour are a tremendous plus both for him and the team treating him."