Francis, Dick

Francis, Dick (Richard Stanley Francis), 1920–, English novelist. He was formerly a professional champion steeplechase jockey (1946–57) and a racing writer for a London newspaper (1957–73). Francis parlayed his knowledge of horse racing into many successful mystery novels that share racetrack settings or elements. They include Dead Cert (1962), his first mystery; Twice Shy (1982); Break In (1986); 10 Lb. Penalty (1997); and Field of Thirteen (1998). Francis also wrote an autobiography, The Sport of Queens (1957; repr. 1986), which chronicles his life through his years as a jockey.