FRANCIS, DICK — In the Frame

New York: Harper & Row, 1977. 1st American Edition; 1st Printing. Hardcover. Illustrated by Dan Sneberger. Cover Art; This book is in Near Fine condition and has a Very Good+ dust jacket. The book and its contents are in mostly clean, bright condition. The text pages are clean and bright. The dust jacket has some ground-in dirt, light toning and a couple of small edge nicks and tears. "I stood on the outside of disaster, looking in. There were three police cars outside my cousin's house, and an ambulance with its blue turret light revolving ominously, and people bustling in seriously through his open front door." "After leaving the RAF in 1946, Francis became a celebrity in the world of British National Hunt racing. He won over 350 races, becoming champion jockey in the 1953–54 season. Shortly after becoming a professional, he was offered the prestige job of first jockey to Vivian Smith, Lord Bicester. From 1953 to 1957 he was jockey to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. His most famous moment as a jockey came while riding the Queen Mother's horse, Devon Loch, in the 1956 Grand National when the horse inexplicably fell when close to winning the race. Decades later, Francis considered losing that race his greatest regret and called it "a disaster of massive proportions.". Near Fine in Very Good+ dust jacket .