She bounced back to winning form last time out in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup in Japan, taking that race for a second successive year.

However, a statement on Dunlop's website said connections have now aborted Snow Fairy's mission to lift the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin next month.

"It is with great disappointment that we report Snow Fairy suffered an injury this morning at Sha Tin racecourse whilst doing a routine canter," read the statement posted on www.edunlop.com.

"We have therefore withdrawn her from the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase and she will return to England when she is fit to travel.

"Although this is a major disappointment for us we are enormously proud of what she achieved in Japan earlier this month and we will advise everyone of her progress, as soon as she has returned home."

Dunlop said: "Of course it's a bitter pill, and it's a very sad day for everyone.

"Sadly she's suffered an injury this morning and is unable to run in Hong Kong.

"We'll get her home and assess what the situation is and take it from there.

"As I'm in Newmarket and she's over there, I don't really know the extent of the injury yet.

"All I know is it's bad enough to say that she won't be able to run and we'll make any further decisions when she's home."

Dunlop will still be represented in the Vase by Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux.