'Dad always said make work a pleasure - I haven't done a day's work in my life'

You name it, John Francome has probably done it, for he's had a tireless and highly productive 66 years – and despite reaching the realm of life where most would be planning to ease off the throttle, there is no sign of his gallop slowing to a trot anytime soon.

Not only a seven-time champion jump jockey with 1,138 winners in a career that left him revered for his artistry in the saddle, Francome has tried his hand at training, was an award-winning racing broadcaster, is the author of 25 novels, the architect of 12 houses and two stables, a former fish and chip shop owner and a dab hand under the bonnet of a car.

Still as lean as a garden rake, as fit as a flea and as sharp in the mind as a butcher's cleaver, he may no longer be a regular face on racecourse or screen but is light years away from his pipe-and-slippers days.