Writer Dick Francis Passes Away

[MikeLigalig.com]

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.

He passed away at his Caribbean home in Grand Cayman from "old age," according to a statement released through his publicist.

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

Francis specialized in plots based on the horse racing industry, drawing on his own experiences of winning more than 350 races.

He turned to writing after hanging up his saddle in the 1950s and was still producing novels at the end of his life.

"Even Money," which he co-authored with Felix, came out in September 2009 and "Crossfire" will be published in August this year.

Felix said: "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 honor for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels."

Francis spoke in later life of how he was still haunted by his ride on Devon Loch, a horse owned by the Queen Mother which suddenly slipped when he appeared certain to win the 1956 Grand National.

He recalled in 2006: "The Devon Loch episode was a terrible thing but I look back on it now and I can say that if it hadn't happened I might never have written a book, and my books have certainly helped keep the wolf from the door."

After retiring from racing in 1957, Francis took up writing, first for the Sunday Express newspaper and then, in 1962, he turned to novels. - Agence France Presse