Trainer Michael Bell has been forced to call time on the career of Big Orange after his old injury flared up.

Big Orange will not run in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh because of unsuitable ground.

Big Orange, fifth in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, is unlikely to run in the Irish St Leger with connections keen to protect his Cup weight.

Trainer Michael Bell says the handicapper will decide whether Big Orange returns to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.