Lester: The official biography

by Dick Francis

Book by Francis, Dick

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Sports, Horses

352 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 1986

About the author

Dick Francis was a British jockey and crime novelist whose life and work were closely connected with the world of horse racing. Raised in Berkshire in a family involved with horses, he left school at fifteen with the ambition of becoming a jockey and began training horses as a teenager. During the Second World War, he served in the Royal Air Force as a pilot, flying fighters and bombers before returning to racing after the war. He became one of Britain's leading National Hunt jockeys, winning more than 350 races and becoming champion jockey in the 1953–54 season. From 1953 to 1957, he was jockey to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and his most famous race came in the 1956 Grand National, when her horse Devon Loch fell suddenly while apparently heading toward victory. After retiring from racing following another serious fall, Francis turned to journalism and writing. His autobiography, The Sport of Queens, led to sixteen years as racing correspondent for the Sunday Express, while his first thriller, Dead Cert, established the formula that would make him an international bestseller. He went on to write more than forty novels, most set against the backdrop of British horse racing but featuring protagonists from a wide range of professions. His stories combine detailed knowledge of racing with tightly constructed mysteries, dangerous investigations and protagonists forced to overcome serious physical and personal obstacles. Among his best-known recurring characters is Sid Halley, a former jockey turned private investigator who appears in Odds Against, Whip Hand, Come to Grief and Under Orders. Francis's wife, Mary, was an important collaborator throughout his writing career, conducting research, editing manuscripts and contributing to plot and character development. Their son Felix later became his father's collaborator and continued the Francis tradition after his father's death. A three-time winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel, Francis also received the Gold Dagger, the Cartier Diamond Dagger and the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award. His novels brought the specialized world of horse racing to an international readership and established him as one of the most influential writers of the racing thriller.

Reviews

[Jwt Jan50]

I'm a Dick Francis junkie. I believe I read all of his mysteries in order. Still remember being at loose ends for a bit after I finished the last one. Stumbled on this years later and quite enjoyed it. My daughter is a horsewoman (although she deplores thoroughbred racing) so I try to do some reading in this category. Would definitely recommend for the Dick Francis fan, or anyone who wants to know a little more about racing.

[Billy Emerson]

Very well written biography by Dick Francis who obviously knew Lester Piggot very well.
I learnt quite a few things about Lester that I didnt know. Some good detailed passages on the horses Lester rode and knew.
If youve an interest in the man or the sport then this is a recommended read

[Fredrick Danysh]

Horse racing has been called the sport of kings and it took tough, wiry men to compete as jockies. Lester Piggott was one of these men and this is the story of his career.

[Kaethe]

Yes, I enjoyed Francis' writing so much that I read his biography of a jokey I'd never heard of. And I liked it.