Three months ago Callum Douglas had never touched a horse - now he helps training elite racehorses with Jonjo O'Neill

But today, he has startied work at the stables of one of the best known names in horse racing.

Callum has just said his goodbyes to his pals at the National Horseracing College, after completing three months there after arriving with no knowledge of anything equine.

He had his mind set on a job in horseracing after spending time working behind the bars at Chester Racecourse. And now his dream has come true after landing a job at the stables of former champion jockey Jonjo O’Neill, who is now one of the most successful racehorse trainers in the UK.

Graduating at the end of his 12 week foundation course at the college near Rossington Hall, Callum, aged 21, said: “It’s hard to put into words really – I’m sad to be leaving but I’m very excited for the next adventure now.

“I’m graduating to Jonjo O'Neill’s down in Cheltenham, so I finish today and then go down there.

“Prior to coming here, I had no riding experience, no horse handling skills. I’ve met so many great people here. Now I’m going and I’m ready to leave.

“There’s lots to come and a new challenge ahead. It’s a great place here, the facilities are unbelieveable. It’s a great place for people like myself who have had no experience to come in and learn what they want to do and get where they want to get to.

He has now been riding horses for 12 weeks and has ridden a number of different horses on the gallops at the college.

He said: “There’s not much more I could do in terms of progression. I’ve come such a long way in a short space of time. Even though some people might think that 12 weeks is a long time, it’s not – it goes so quick here.

“You’re up early every morning, you finish at 5.30pm, but the days just roll on and roll on.

He said he was going to one of the best yards in the country.

He started his new job the week before the Cheltenham Festival.