Dick Francis Dies

Prolific British author Dick Francis, a former jockey whose thrillers rode high in best-selling lists for decades, has died at the age of 89, his family said on Sunday.

He passed away at his Caribbean home on Grand Cayman, according to a statement released through his publicist.

His son, Felix, said he was "devastated" as he paid tribute to his "extraordinary" father, who wrote 42 novels.

Francis specialised in novels based on the horse racing industry, drawing on his own experiences.

He won more than 350 races and was honoured as Champion Jockey for the 1953-54 season.

Dont think i read all his books but quite a few. Sad

But cheers on a good life.

True Legend,best remembered for slipping up just before the line when riding Devon Loch for the Quenn Mum in the Grand National...

I wanted to write books like his when I was at school. I even started a couple but ran out of steam like Isidingo trying for the Gold Cup. A new Francis book was one of life's highlights back in them old days.

we could write one off some off the postings on here like false starts that are arranged

Sad news, RIP



Just as well no "in running" betting then

Like Magiclips I used to read his novels - which came out pretty much once a year back in the 70's. His earlier work was really quite strong and stood up well on its own merits even for readers relatively disinterested in racing topics. He was a prolific producer - I counted 29 titles on my bookshelf this morning and it is nowhere near the full collection.

One of his best efforts is the ( non-fictional ) autobiographical 'Sport Of Queeens' - where he gives fascinating insight into jump racing. Whether you are a fan or critic of the jumps this is a very informative read.

He also inadvertently introduced me to Laphroaig whisky - a beautiful Isle Of Islay single malt slightly milder than Ardbeg - the 'counterfeiting' and smuggling of which was the subject of one of his novels. I think I'll crack a bottle tonight and toast him.

Sure the last count was 40 novels,and im sure everyone had a racing theme?

news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8515000/8515797.stm

i hope you can hear the audio. super.

Rip Dick Francis.
I have collected all his novels, as well as others he had co-written with other authors.I have spent many enjoyable hours reading his work, thank you DF.

RIP Dick..started reading them in 1976..never stopped read the lot.

Great legend!

The one thing you could always count on in his novels. The good guys always won in the end.

Some good reads on the RacingPost