A TEENAGE jockey has been given the opportunity of a lifetime as he prepares to follow his dream.

Jordan Colloby, 16, has been offered an 18 month course at the British Racing School in Newmarket starting on November 10.

The former Kirkbie Kendal School pupil started riding at nine years old but never expected to become a jockey.

He always wanted to be a farrier but caught the riding bug when he went racing in York for Ebor Week.

After sending an application letter to the British Racing School he was called to Newmarket, in Suffolk, to attend a full interview and examination programme last December.

He then received a letter confirming that he had beaten 250 applicants to be awarded a place on the prestigious course.

Jordan, who lives in Kendal, will be learning to race on more than 80 former race horses at the school and learn how to care for them.

He previously had experience at Alan Berry's racing yard, in Cockram, where he learnt the ropes and got a taste for the action at Cartmel Races.

His father, Andrew Colloby, and mother, Sara, spoke of his 'pride' at their son's achievements.

"As parents we are just so proud," they said.

"Not only did he pass his exams but all his interviews as well and beat some very 'horsey horsey' people.

"He's following in the footsteps of the likes of the McCoy's and the Dettori's.

Andrew, 43, continued: "He has been given a great start.

"Jordan wants to be racing and he has got a chance now to go forward and do that.

"He has got a lot of hard work ahead of him but that's down to him.

"It was his enthusiasm about the horses that separated him from the rest of the applicants as well as his willingness to learn not just about racing itself but the different bloods of the horses and how to treat them or rehabilitate them if they become injured.

"He wants to know everything."

The McCoy racing family are some of his idols in the sport and they have a close involvement with the British Riding School so Jordan will not only get to meet them but learn from them as well.

Jordan, who says his main goal is to one day race at the Grand National at Aintree, feels lucky to have been given this rare opportunity.

"It was definitely a surprise because I didn't really think I would get it because there was a slim chance that they would accept me as there were a lot of applicants," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to it but obviously I'm a bit nervous.

"I'm most looking forward to riding and getting to go to all the races."

At the tender age of 16 Jordan now has his whole life planned out for him and he is enjoying the security that brings.

He said: "It's a relief that I don't have to think about worrying about the future.

"I'm guaranteed a place in racing so I have got a job for life."