Snow Fairy will remain in training next season but is set to be on the sidelines for a lengthy spell.

Ed Dunlop’s four-year-old has returned home to England safely after a near-fore injury forced her out of the Hong Kong Vase this weekend.

“Snow Fairy returned from Hong Kong (on Sunday night) with Lynsey Hanna, who has looked after her fantastically well while she has been on her travels,” Dunlop announced on his website.

“My veterinary surgeon, Mike Shepherd, examined her this morning and a decision has been made by myself and Mrs (Cristina) Patino (owner) that she will not be retired.

“The injury she sustained in Hong Kong will require a fair amount of time to heal, but Mrs Patino has sportingly decided that she is prepared to give her every chance to return to the racecourse next year.”

Despite being winless in Europe this season, the brilliant mare nevertheless ran with great credit in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and in both the Irish and British Champion Stakes.

The daughter of Intikhab then returned to Japan to win the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup for a second successive year before sustaining the injury in preparation for the Hong Kong Vase.