Aidan O'Brien has revealed it is 'very likely' that St Nicholas Abbey will be given the rest of the year off after missing an engagement last weekend.
An unbeaten juvenile campaign promised plenty, but he has been off the track since being beaten into sixth when favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.
Connections had hoped to see him return in last Sunday's Finale Stakes at the Curragh but having missed that, O'Brien feels it is too late in the year to now prepare him for a big race.
'He missed the race the other day and we felt if we ran him there and everything went well, he could step into a big race anywhere,' O'Brien told At The Races.
'But he didn't have the run and it looks as though he'll stay in training next year, so it's very likely that he won't run again this season.
'The race the other day just came a bit too quick for him but he seems to be fine. He just couldn't step into a big race without a run, but we look forward to him next year and he's always been very exciting.'
