Racehorse St Nicholas Abbey has reached a "critical" point in his recovery from a fractured leg and subsequent laminitis, Coolmore Stud reported Nov. 28.

The son of Montjeu fractured 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.

In the Nov. 28 update, Coolmore said the 6-year-old horse is comfortable but "is struggling to overcome the laminitis in his left front foot. This is indeed life-threatening and is the single biggest complication he has faced since his initial life-saving surgery."

Coolmore said the concern is that should the condition progress with further sinking of the pedal, or coffin, bone in St Nicholas Abbey's left front foot, it could go through the sole of his foot