Dick Francis died 14 February 2010.
Video of the 1956 Grand National

Dick Francis has written more than 40 novels, as well as an autobiography, The Sport of Queens, a biography of jockey Lester Piggott, A Jockey’s Life, and several short stories, 13 of which are collected in Field of Thirteen. The last few books were written with his younger son, Felix.

Dick Francis was a steeple­chase jockey from 1948 to 1957, and champion jockey for the 1953-54 season. His most famous moment as a jockey came in the 1956 Grand National, when his horse, the Queen Mother's Devon Loch, fell a few yards away from winning the prestigious race.

Bibliography

The titles marked with an asterisk have commentary on the associated page. More will be added as I find the time.

TITLE YEAR MAIN CHARACTER OCCUPATION
Dead Cert * 1962 Alan York Amateur jockey, Company representative
Nerve * 1964 Rob Finn Professional jockey
For Kicks * 1965 Daniel Roke Australian horse breeder, undercover investigator
Odds Against * 1965 Sid Halley Investigator, former champion jockey
Flying Finish * 1966 Henry Grey Amateur jockey, semi-professional pilot, in-flight horse-transport supervisor
Blood Sport * 1967 Gene Hawkins Civil service screener
Forfeit * 1968 James Tyrone Racing journalist
Enquiry * 1969 Kelly Hughes Professional jockey
Bonecrack * 1971 Neil Griffon Business consultant
Rat Race * 1972 Matt Shore Air taxi pilot
Smokescreen * 1972 Edward Lincoln Actor
Slay Ride 1973 David Cleveland Jockey Club Director of Security
Knockdown * 1974 Jonah Dereham Bloodstock agent
High Stakes 1975 Steven Scott Inventor, racehorse owner
In the Frame * 1976 Charles Todd Artist
Risk * 1977 Roland Britten Accountant, amateur jockey
Trial Run 1978 Randall Drew Gentleman farmer, former jockey
Whip Hand 1979 Sid Halley Investigator, former champion jockey
Reflex * 1980 Philip Nore Professional jockey, amateur photographer
Twice Shy 1981 Jonathan Derry Teacher, Olympic marksman
William Derry Owner’s representative
Banker * 1982 Tim Ekaterin Merchant banker
The Danger 1983 Andrew Douglas Kidnapping investigator
Proof 1984 Tony Beach Wine merchant
Break In 1985 Kit Fielding Champion jockey
Bolt 1987 Kit Fielding Champion jockey
Hot Money 1987 Ian Pembroke Amateur jockey
The Edge 1988 Tor Kelsey Jockey Club undercover investigator
Straight * 1989 Derek Franklin Professional jockey
Longshot * 1990 John Kendall Writer
Comeback 1991 Peter Darwin Diplomat
Driving Force 1992 Freddy Croft Former jockey, owner of horse tranport business
Decider 1993 Lee Morris Architect/builder
Wild Horses 1994 Thomas Lyon Film director
Come to Grief 1995 Sid Halley Investigator, former champion jockey.
To the Hilt 1996 Alexander Kinloch Artist
10-lb. Penalty * 1997 Benedict Juliard Student, amateur jockey, insurance investigator
Second Wind 1999 Perry Stuart TV meteorologist
Shattered 2000 Gerard Logan Glass blower and sculptor
Under Orders 2006 Sid Halley Investigator, former champion jockey.
Dead Heat * 2007 Max Moreton Chef and restaurateur
Silks 2008 Geoffrey Mason Barrister
Even Money 2009 Ned Talbot Bookmaker

Unless otherwise credited, the contents of this page are copyright Chris F.A. Johnson
The horse on this and subsequent pages (where it is a link back to this page) is taken from a print by Currier and Ives.

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