Dick Francis
1920 - 2010
1920 - 2010
Richard Stanley Francis, known by all as Dick, was born on Coedcanlas Farm, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, on Sunday, 31 October, 1920, the second son of Vincent and Molly Francis.
Richard Stanley Francis, known by all as Dick, was born on Coedcanlas Farm, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, on Sunday, 31 October, 1920, the second son of Vincent and Molly Francis.
The family's interest in hunting and racing can be traced back two generations. Willie Francis, Dick's grandfather, and his elder half-brother Robert Harries, were leading amateur riders in the south-west of Wales between 1883 and 1905. (Harries was notably the more successful, with an impressive ten-year riding record at Tenby.)
The family's interest in hunting and racing can be traced back two generations. Willie Francis, Dick's grandfather, and his elder half-brother Robert Harries, were leading amateur riders in the south-west of Wales between 1883 and 1905. (Harries was notably the more successful, with an impressive ten-year riding record at Tenby.)
Having decided to make horses, rather than farming, his living, Dick's father Vincent went, in 1908, to ride for Colonel Lort-Phillips of Lawrenny Castle near Tenby. Lort-Phillips ran one of the best National Hunt stables in Britain: his main patron was the Liverpudlian tycoon Frank Bibby, for whom he had won the 1905 Grand National with Kirkland.
Having decided to make horses, rather than farming, his living, Dick's father Vincent went, in 1908, to ride for Colonel Lort-Phillips of Lawrenny Castle near Tenby. Lort-Phillips ran one of the best National Hunt stables in Britain: his main patron was the Liverpudlian tycoon Frank Bibby, for whom he had won the 1905 Grand National with Kirkland.
Vincent rode a number of winners in the years leading up to the war, though all the best rides went to stable jockey 'Titch' Frank Mason, the then Champion Jockey.
Vincent rode a number of winners in the years leading up to the war, though all the best rides went to stable jockey 'Titch' Frank Mason, the then Champion Jockey.
Once demobbed and with a new family to support, Vincent gave up race-riding to become a nagsman (horse specialist) for various Midlands hunt dealers.
Once demobbed and with a new family to support, Vincent gave up race-riding to become a nagsman (horse specialist) for various Midlands hunt dealers.
Dick, and his elder brother William Douglas (always known as Doug), rode on donkeys, ponies and horses from the moment they could walk.
Dick, and his elder brother William Douglas (always known as Doug), rode on donkeys, ponies and horses from the moment they could walk.
Dick's father became manager of W. J. Smith's, an establishment near Maidenhead which dealt with quality hunters, hacks and children's ponies, thus giving Dick and Doug ample opportunity to ride and school a variety of horses.
Dick's father became manager of W. J. Smith's, an establishment near Maidenhead which dealt with quality hunters, hacks and children's ponies, thus giving Dick and Doug ample opportunity to ride and school a variety of horses.
Aged seven, Dick regularly hunted on a pony called Mickey and became a leading young rider in the show ring.
Aged seven, Dick regularly hunted on a pony called Mickey and became a leading young rider in the show ring.
Dick was aged ten when his grandfather died. Ostensibly to keep his grandmother company, he moved into the farm for a year. It was while here that he ran into David Harrison, a Tenby trainer. Harrison allowed the future jockey to ride out on the beach early in the morning. This was Dick's first acquaintance with a proper racehorse.
Dick was aged ten when his grandfather died. Ostensibly to keep his grandmother company, he moved into the farm for a year. It was while here that he ran into David Harrison, a Tenby trainer. Harrison allowed the future jockey to ride out on the beach early in the morning. This was Dick's first acquaintance with a proper racehorse.
Despite Dick's continual pleas to his parents, they remained reluctant to allow their small son to become an apprentice. Aged sixteen, he had grown too heavy for the flat yet was still not big or strong enough to become a trainee amateur over the sticks.
Despite Dick's continual pleas to his parents, they remained reluctant to allow their small son to become an apprentice. Aged sixteen, he had grown too heavy for the flat yet was still not big or strong enough to become a trainee amateur over the sticks.
Caught between two stools, he took up full-time employment at W. J. Smith's as assistant to his father.
Caught between two stools, he took up full-time employment at W. J. Smith's as assistant to his father.
In 1938, Dick's parents set up the own livery and dealing establishment at Embrook House, Wokingham, and Dick was forced to put all ideas of becoming a jockey aside as he was required to help them.
In 1938, Dick's parents set up the own livery and dealing establishment at Embrook House, Wokingham, and Dick was forced to put all ideas of becoming a jockey aside as he was required to help them.
With the outbreak of war the following September, the business quickly dwindled and Dick was once again free to pursue his dream.
With the outbreak of war the following September, the business quickly dwindled and Dick was once again free to pursue his dream.
After the war, he returned to help run the family business at Embrook House. His brother Doug, having married, was working in Cheshire as Master of the Horse to Victor Dyke Dennis.
After the war, he returned to help run the family business at Embrook House. His brother Doug, having married, was working in Cheshire as Master of the Horse to Victor Dyke Dennis.
Dick became a regular visitor to Cheshire during the winter of 1945/46 and, as a result, managed to get his first three point-to-point rides. His first winner in the sphere came on 23 March 1946 when riding Red Poker to victory in the Farmers' Race.
Dick became a regular visitor to Cheshire during the winter of 1945/46 and, as a result, managed to get his first three point-to-point rides. His first winner in the sphere came on 23 March 1946 when riding Red Poker to victory in the Farmers' Race.
In the early autumn of that year, Doug Francis arranged for his younger brother to join trainer George Owen as secretary/pupil. Owen, who had been a top-class professional jockey (winning the 1930 Foxhunters on Melleray's Belle, the 1939 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Brenda's Cottage and Liverpool's 1939 Champion Chase on The Professor) had taken out a public licence to train at Decoy Farm, near Chester.
In the early autumn of that year, Doug Francis arranged for his younger brother to join trainer George Owen as secretary/pupil. Owen, who had been a top-class professional jockey (winning the 1930 Foxhunters on Melleray's Belle, the 1939 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Brenda's Cottage and Liverpool's 1939 Champion Chase on The Professor) had taken out a public licence to train at Decoy Farm, near Chester.
Dick, then aged 29 and with only three rides in public behind him, moved in with the Owen family and, in the mornings, would ride out two or three lots before, in the afternoons, working on the accounts.
Dick, then aged 29 and with only three rides in public behind him, moved in with the Owen family and, in the mornings, would ride out two or three lots before, in the afternoons, working on the accounts.
George began giving the aspiring jockey rides, the first being on Russian Hero at Woore. Dick finished fourth.
George began giving the aspiring jockey rides, the first being on Russian Hero at Woore. Dick finished fourth.
Then the winter of 1946/47 set in. Particularly severe and with heavy snow, it put paid to racing from 23 January to 15 March. By the end of April, Dick was struggling to find his second winner. Then, on 2 May at Bangor-on-Dee, his luck changed. Wrenbury Tiger carried him to victory in a hunter chase before Blitz Boy gave Dick his first double. Both had been trained by George Owen for whom Dick rode another seven winners before the end of the season.
Then the winter of 1946/47 set in. Particularly severe and with heavy snow, it put paid to racing from 23 January to 15 March. By the end of April, Dick was struggling to find his second winner. Then, on 2 May at Bangor-on-Dee, his luck changed. Wrenbury Tiger carried him to victory in a hunter chase before Blitz Boy gave Dick his first double. Both had been trained by George Owen for whom Dick rode another seven winners before the end of the season.
Though, next season, he had to wait until August 30 for his first winner, he'd had, by early March 1948, over 100 rides, including 10 winners. Consequently, when turning up to ride at Cheltenham, the Stewards informed him that he must either turn professional after the festival or contain himself to riding in amateur races only. Dick opted for the former. He rode his first professional winner on 14 April (Resurgent at Ludlow) and finished the season having ridden sixteen winners, ten as an amateur and six as a professional.
Though, next season, he had to wait until August 30 for his first winner, he'd had, by early March 1948, over 100 rides, including 10 winners. Consequently, when turning up to ride at Cheltenham, the Stewards informed him that he must either turn professional after the festival or contain himself to riding in amateur races only. Dick opted for the former. He rode his first professional winner on 14 April (Resurgent at Ludlow) and finished the season having ridden sixteen winners, ten as an amateur and six as a professional.
His progress had not gone unnoticed.
His progress had not gone unnoticed.
Top showman and racing expert Harry Bonner (a great friend of Dick's father) recommended leading owner Lord Bicester
Top showman and racing expert Harry Bonner (a great friend of Dick's father) recommended leading owner Lord Bicester
to invite Dick to become his second jockey behind the brilliant Martin Molony.
to invite Dick to become his second jockey behind the brilliant Martin Molony.
Molony had a long-standing retainer in Ireland, and travelled there to ride each Saturday.
Molony had a long-standing retainer in Ireland, and travelled there to ride each Saturday.
Dick accepted the offer on the basis that he would be riding some of the finest horses in England, if only on a Saturday. He rode his first winner for the stable on Roimond at Worcester on 30 October.
Dick accepted the offer on the basis that he would be riding some of the finest horses in England, if only on a Saturday. He rode his first winner for the stable on Roimond at Worcester on 30 October.
From that point, Dick's star shone: he rode Roimond in both the King George VI at Kempton and The Grand National and, whilst coming second on both occasions, he was making his name. A win on Fighting Line in the Welsh Grand National, his most important win to date, and his first-ever treble later in the week at Bangor-on-Dee, cemented his growing reputation.
From that point, Dick's star shone: he rode Roimond in both the King George VI at Kempton and The Grand National and, whilst coming second on both occasions, he was making his name. A win on Fighting Line in the Welsh Grand National, his most important win to date, and his first-ever treble later in the week at Bangor-on-Dee, cemented his growing reputation.
Dick was the pilot aboard the incredible Crudwell on 22 occasions, winning fifteen times. (Crudwell won 50 of his 108 races.) This horse gave Dick his last ever winner, on 7 January 1957. (Dick's last ride of all came four days after this on Prince Stephen.)
Dick was the pilot aboard the incredible Crudwell on 22 occasions, winning fifteen times. (Crudwell won 50 of his 108 races.) This horse gave Dick his last ever winner, on 7 January 1957. (Dick's last ride of all came four days after this on Prince Stephen.)
Other good horses Dick rode included Silver Fame, Finnure, Manicou, Possible, Coup D'Epee, Irish Lizard, Mont Tremblant, Lochroe, M'as-Tu-Vu, and, of course, Devon Loch who collapsed so dramatically from the winning post in 1956.
Other good horses Dick rode included Silver Fame, Finnure, Manicou, Possible, Coup D'Epee, Irish Lizard, Mont Tremblant, Lochroe, M'as-Tu-Vu, and, of course, Devon Loch who collapsed so dramatically from the winning post in 1956.
He had done something similar in a previous race and it was later discovered that Devon Loch suffered from heart problems.
He had done something similar in a previous race and it was later discovered that Devon Loch suffered from heart problems.
Dick rode the winners of 350 races and was Champion Jockey in the 1953/54 season.
Dick rode the winners of 350 races and was Champion Jockey in the 1953/54 season.
Dick Francis died of natural causes on 14 February 2010, at his Caribbean home in Grand Cayman where he had lived since 1992. He was survived by both sons, Merrick and Felix.
Dick Francis died of natural causes on 14 February 2010, at his Caribbean home in Grand Cayman where he had lived since 1992. He was survived by both sons, Merrick and Felix.
Dick Francis
Dick Francis
Big winners:
Big winners:
1949: Welsh Grand National – Fighting Line
1949: Welsh Grand National – Fighting Line
1949: King George VI Chase – Finnure
1949: King George VI Chase – Finnure
1950: Champion Chase – Finnure
1950: Champion Chase – Finnure
1950: Molyneux Chase – Possible
1950: Molyneux Chase – Possible
1951: Cotswold Chase – Red Steel
1951: Cotswold Chase – Red Steel
1953: Topham Trophy Chase – Irish Lizard
1953: Topham Trophy Chase – Irish Lizard
1954: Withington Chase (Birmingham) – Crudwell
1954: Withington Chase (Birmingham) – Crudwell
1956: Welsh Grand National – Crudwell
1956: Welsh Grand National – Crudwell