Dick Francis: a life in pictures

2006: Dick Francis at the stables at Carden, Cheshire Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk 1956: The Queen, Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother talk to Devon Loch's jockey Dick Francis at Aintree Photograph: Sunday Dispatch/Rex Features Photograph: Sunday Dispatch/guardian.co.uk 1956: Dick Francis jumping Devon Loch over the feared Becher's Brook during the Grand National at Aintree Photograph: PA Photograph: guardian.co.uk 1956: Devon Loch is well clear of the field when he appears to jump a phantom fence 25 metres from the line and lands on his belly. The stricken horse gets back on his feet but is overtaken in the most dramatic final in the Grand National's history Photograph: AP Photograph: guardian.co.uk 1956: Jockey Dick Francis walks away in despair after Devon Loch's Grand National collapse Photograph: AP Photograph: guardian.co.uk 1969: Dick Francis writing at his home Photograph: Terrence Spencer/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images Photograph: Terrence Spencer/Time & Life Pictures/guardian.co.uk 1969: Former jockey turned author Dick Francis watches a race Photograph: Terrence Spencer/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images Photograph: Terrence Spencer/Time & Life Pictures/guardian.co.uk 1976: Dick Francis with copies of his books Photograph: Chris Capstick/Rex Features Photograph: Chris Capstick/guardian.co.uk 1998: Dick Francis signing copies of Field of 13 Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Photograph: Rui Vieira/guardian.co.uk 1998: Dick Francis writing at his home in Grand Cayman Photograph: Graham Harrison/Rex Features Photograph: Graham Harrison/guardian.co.uk 2000: Dick Francis and his wife, Mary, after he received his CBE at Buckingham Palace Photograph: John Stillwell/PA Photograph: John Stillwell/guardian.co.uk Dick Francis in 2004 Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: Martin Argles/guardian.co.uk