Writer Dick Francis, famous for his horse racing-based crime novels, has died aged 89, his family has said.

Francis, who wrote some 40 best-selling novels during his career, was also a champion jockey in the 1940s and 50s and the Queen Mother's jockey.

He first published his autobiography in 1957, and his first thriller, Dead Cert, followed five years later.

Francis's most recent works, Dead Heat and Silks, were co-authored by his son Felix.

Mr Francis said he was "devastated" at the loss of his father, who produced a novel a year during his long career.

"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," he added.

Francis went on to sell some 60 million books worldwide and his novels were published into 20 languages.

His works were also regularly featured in volumes of Reader's Digest condensed books.

They were all written in the first person and were meticulously researched and written in longhand.

Francis went on to win numerous accolades for popular fiction in his genre, including Crime Writer's Association lifetime achievement award in 1996.

He was awarded a CBE in 2000 for services to literature.

During his racing career, Francis's most famous moment was when his horse, Devon Loch, fell when he was close to winning to 1956 Grand National.

After he retired from the saddle, Francis was the Sunday Express racing correspondent for 16 years.

He spent his final years in retirement in the Cayman Islands and his family said he "died of old age".

A private funeral is due to be held in the Caribbean with a memorial service in London at a later stage, a spokesman added.

The next novel co-written with his son is due to be published in the autumn.

...during his racing career, Francis's most famous moment was when his horse, Devon Loch, fell when he was close to winning to 1956 Grand National....



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