Dick Francis died 14 February 2010.
Video of the 1956 Grand National

Dick Francis wrote more than 40 novels, as well as an autobiography, The Sport of Queens, a biography of jockey Lester Piggott, A Jockey’s Life, and several short stories, 13 of which are collected in Field of Thirteen. The last few books were written with his younger son, Felix.

Dick Francis was a steeple­chase jockey from 1948 to 1957, and champion jockey for the 1953-54 season. His most famous moment as a jockey came in the 1956 Grand National, when his horse, the Queen Mother's Devon Loch, fell a few yards away from winning the prestigious race.

Bibliography

The titles marked with an asterisk have commentary on the associated page. More will be added as I find the time.

Title Year Main character Occupation Rating
Dead Cert * 1962 Alan York Amateur jockey, Company representative ★★★
Nerve * 1964 Rob Finn Professional jockey ★★★
For Kicks * 1965 Daniel Roke Australian horse breeder, undercover investigator ★★★★
Odds Against * 1965 Sid Halley Investigator, former champion jockey ★★★★
Flying Finish * 1966 Henry Grey Amateur jockey, semi-professional pilot, in-flight horse-transport supervisor ★★★
Blood Sport * 1967 Gene Hawkins Civil service screener ★★★
Forfeit * 1968 James Tyrone Racing journalist ★★★★
Enquiry * 1969 Kelly Hughes Professional jockey ★★★
Rat Race * 1970 Matt Shore Air taxi pilot ★★★★
Bonecrack * 1971 Neil Griffon Business consultant ★★★★
Smokescreen * 1972 Edward Lincoln Actor ★★
Slay Ride * 1973 David Cleveland Jockey Club Director of Security ★★
Knockdown * 1974 Jonah Dereham Bloodstock agent ★★★
High Stakes * 1975 Steven Scott Inventor, racehorse owner ★★★★
In the Frame * 1976 Charles Todd Artist ★★★
Risk * 1977 Roland Britten Accountant, amateur jockey ★★★
Trial Run 1978 Randall Drew Gentleman farmer, former jockey ★★
Whip Hand * 1979 Sid Halley Investigator, former champion jockey ★★★★
Reflex * 1980 Philip Nore Professional jockey, amateur photographer ★★★★
Twice Shy * 1981 Jonathan Derry Teacher, Olympic marksman ★★★
William Derry Owner’s representative
Banker * 1982 Tim Ekaterin Merchant banker ★★★
The Danger * 1983 Andrew Douglas Kidnapping investigator ★★★
Proof * 1984 Tony Beach Wine merchant ★★★★
Break In * 1985 Kit Fielding Champion jockey ★★★★
Bolt * 1987 Kit Fielding Champion jockey ★★★★
Hot Money 1987 Ian Pembroke Amateur jockey ★★★★
The Edge * 1988 Tor Kelsey Jockey Club undercover investigator ★★★
Straight * 1989 Derek Franklin Professional jockey ★★★★
Longshot * 1990 John Kendall Writer ★★★
Comeback 1991 Peter Darwin Diplomat ★★★
Driving Force 1992 Freddy Croft Former jockey, owner of horse tranport business ★★★
Decider * 1993 Lee Morris Architect/builder ★★★★
Wild Horses 1994 Thomas Lyon Film director ★★★
Come to Grief 1995 Sid Halley Investigator, former champion jockey. ★★★
To the Hilt * 1996 Alexander Kinloch Artist ★★★★
10-lb. Penalty * 1997 Benedict Juliard Student, amateur jockey, insurance investigator ★★★
Second Wind 1999 Perry Stuart TV meteorologist ★★
Shattered * 2000 Gerard Logan Glass blower and sculptor ★★★★
Under Orders 2006 Sid Halley Investigator, former champion jockey. ★★★

With Felix Francis:

Dead Heat * 2007 Max Moreton Chef and restaurateur ★★★★
Silks 2008 Geoffrey Mason Barrister ★★★
Even Money 2009 Ned Talbot Bookmaker ★★★
Crossfire * 2010 Thomas Forsyth Soldier (on medical leave) ★★★★

Unless otherwise credited, the contents of this page are copyright Chris F.A. Johnson
The horse on this and subsequent pages (where it is a link back to this page) is taken from a print by Currier and Ives.