Dick Francis, who penned 42 thrillers based around horse racing, has died at the age of 89.
Francis was a former champion steeplechase jockey who turned his attention to writing, and became one of Britain's most popular and prolific novelists.
He passed away at his Caribbean home in Grand Cayman, where he had lived in recent years. It is understood a memorial service will be held in London.
Francis, who also wrote an autobiography, and a biography of jockey Lester Piggott, won over 350 races. He was Champion Jockey in 1953-54.
He started eight times in the Britain's Grand National, riding a horse for the Queen Mother in 1956. The horse, Devon Loch, slipped and collapsed beneath Francis as he appeared to be headed for victory, just 50 metres from the line.
Francis showed great dignity, amid the realisation he had been robbed of one of racing's greatest prizes.
To this day, the phrase "doing a Devon Loch" means to lose a race from a seemingly unassailable position.
Francis was never to win a Grand National.
It was an injury resulting from a serious fall at Newbury in 1957 which made Francis consider other careers. He took up a pen, first as a racing writer for a national newspaper and then as a novelist.
He was the son of stable manager and left school when he was 15.
He served with the Royal Air Force during World War 2, firstly in Eqypt. He was commissioned as a pilot in 1943.
He is survived by two sons, Felix and Merrick.
Even Money was published last September, and a new book, Crossfire, is due out this coming August. |
His wife of 53 years, Mary, died in 2000.
His most recent book was "Even Money", co-authored with Felix, which was published in September last year. "Crossfire" is due in August this year.
Felix said in a statement: "My brother, Merrick, and I are, of course, devastated by the loss of our father, but we rejoice in having been the sons of such an extraordinary man.
"We share in the joy that he brought to so many over such a long life. It is an honour for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels."
Francis had been growing increasingly frail in recent years, his publicist said.
Among his most avid fans was the late Queen Mother, who always received a first edition.
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