Betfair owner names prize-winning racehorse after nurse who cared for him following Boxing Day heart attack
A nurse at St George’s Hospital has had a prize-winning racehorse named after her by a grateful patient who she cared for, following a heart attack at Christmas.
Businessman and Betfair co-founder Andrew Black said he wanted to show Coronary Care Unit Manager Breege Skeffington how much she helped him during a difficult time in his life.
The 61-year-old was rushed to St George’s after having a heart attack on Boxing Day – one of the most important days in the racing calendar – while the country was in the grip of Covid in 2021.
Due to lockdown restrictions, friends and family were unable to visit Andrew – but he said Breege ‘kept him going’ by spending time to talk to him, which he will never forget.
He said: “Breege would come and chat to me, to keep my spirits up. We spoke about horses and she told me she was a fan of racing.
Coronary Care Unit Manager Breege Skeffington
“Her taking the time out to keep me company really meant something to me, as recovering from a heart attack is a difficult situation.
“I felt so vulnerable being in hospital and she really helped me.”
Andrew, who lives in Cobham, underwent a procedure where stents were inserted to unblock his arteries and was placed in the hospital’s critical care unit.
He said: “I really was not in a good way. We weren’t allowed visitors so it was a very lonely time.
“Breege kept me company through such a difficult time and was so caring. I truly appreciate that and I really wanted to thank Breege for her kindness.”
Professor Arlene Wellman MBE, Group Chief Nurse for St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, said: “Breege is a shining example of the difference our nurses make to patients every day. Many of them give up their Christmas to care for people and this is a wonderful way of saying thank you.”
Breege’s namesake has won a number of prestigious races and once pocketed a whopping £280,000 prize for her delightful owner by galloping first past the post ahead of her rivals.
Breege discovered Andrew’s touching tribute by chance, when she was watching the Royal Ascot on TV.
When a presenter asked Andrew where the name came from and he revealed the story, Breege realised she was the nurse in question.
Andrew said: “You can’t have a good experience in critical care but Breege made it as good as it can be.
“She made a difficult time bearable.
“I invited her to come and meet Breege and I’m glad she accepted.”
Breege met the champion filly during an enjoyable day with Andrew at Goodwood Racecourse in West Sussex.
She said: “I am honoured and privileged that Andrew has named one of his thoroughbred horses after me.
“We had a fantastic day at the races. The day highlighted for me the respect and admiration for nurses and medics in general”.
Call 999 immediately if you think someone might be having a heart attack. The faster you act, the better their chances.
Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
- chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
- pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
- feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- sweating
- shortness of breath
- feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- an overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
- coughing or wheezing
- The chest pain is often severe, but some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion.
For information on help for problems with gambling, visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/
