Leading Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has been handed a blow to one of his three year olds Amhran Na Bhfiann who is now set to miss the rest of the season after a leg fracture was discovered after he finished second in a Naas maiden on Monday night.
The smart son of Galileo had shown glimmers of ability since his debut finishing fourth of 18 in a strong maiden at Leopardstown and off the back of that he out run his odds of 66/1 in the Epsom Derby to finish third.
His trainer believed things may have just clicked for him in that race and was expecting big things for the rest of the season.
However, on Monday night he was sent out to break his maiden tag and he could only finish second of 16 with Zawara for Dermot Weld wearing him down towards the line.
🗓 17th September - 16 lengths 10th on debut
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) July 5, 2020
🗓 12th June - 2½ lengths 5th
🗓 27th June - Breaks maiden at third time of asking by nine lengths
🗓 4th July - Wins the Epsom Derby by 5½ lengths
What a mad 10 months for SERPENTINE 😱
🎬 @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/PtNk5T9P7G
After they race they found he had suffered a condylar fracture and he will now miss a large part of the season if not the rest of it.
O'Brien said: "Unfortunately Amhran Na Bhfiann pulled up lame last night at Naas after the race and has a condylar fracture.
"He had an operation last night, when he had two pins put in his fetlock joint. We think he's going to be okay for next year but we'll see how things go. He's a talented horse and we're hoping everything goes well in his recovery."
The severity of this injury can vary in different horses for example last week's Sussex Stakes hero Mohaather recovered from a hairline condylar stress fracture last season to return to peak form this year.
The Ballydoyle yard will now take their time with the three year old and see whether he will be put out again or saved for a four year old campaign.