A MAN who survived after his heart stopped three times at Chepstow Racecourse is naming two races at the track to celebrate being alive.

Racehorse owner, Alan Jackson, 72, from Huntley near Stoke-on-Trent, is sponsoring the ‘Chepstow Racecourse Saved My Life’ Handicap Chase and ‘Alan Jackson Is Still Alive’ Selling Hurdle on Tuesday 30th September.

He suffered a cardiac arrest in June just minutes after his horse King Zeal had finished second. He collapsed in the Winners’ Enclosure and was resuscitated three times by the course medical team.

He was extremely lucky to survive, as doctors said had the cardiac arrest occurred at home, he would not have been treated in time.

Because he was so close to the track, where the doctor and medical team are stationed during the race, he was seen within seconds.

At all race meetings doctors, paramedics and Red Cross first aiders are present to look after jockeys and the public, and thankfully for Alan, they carry resuscitation equipment.

Alan was in hospital for a fortnight and has now been fitted with a defibrillator. He is now enjoying his racing and looking to the future once again.

To celebrate his return to health, he’s decided the name the two races on September 30th when he will get a chance to meet and thank the people that saved his life. He’s invited family and friends to celebrate with him on the day.