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Author Dick Francis passes away

Author Dick Francis passes away

The author Dick Francis has died aged 89.

Mr. Francis had been a professional jockey who who went on to become a world-famous author following his retirement from riding. It was the horse racing world which was to provide the backdrop to many of his successful thrillers.

He became a National Hunt jockey after seeing war service in the RAF. From 1953 to 1957 he was jockey to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. His most famous incident as a jockey came while riding the Queen Mother’s horse, Devon Loch, in the 1956 Grand National. Francis was leading the race and approaching the finish line when the horse fell.

After being forced to retire following a serious fall in 1957 he became racing correspondent for the Sunday Express. Francis then embarked on his book writing career with his wife Mary helping with the research.

After Mary Francis died in 2000, Dick Francis produced two books which were co-authored by son Felix.

 

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