Dick Francis, champion jockey, acclaimed mystery writer; at 89

Mr. Francis’s spokeswoman, Ruth Cairns, said the writer had died from natural causes, but did not elaborate. During his writing career, Mr. Francis won three Edgar Allen Poe awards given by The Mystery Writers of America for his novels “Forfeit’’ (1968), “Whip Hand’’ (1979), and “Come to Grief’’ (1995).

He also was awarded a Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers’ Association for his outstanding contribution to the genre. The association made him a Grand Master in 1996 for lifetime achievement.

Aside from novels, Mr. Francis authored a volume of short stories and a biography of British jockey Lester Piggott.

In recent years Mr. Francis wrote novels jointly with son Felix, including “Silks’’ (2008) and “Even Money’’ (2009). A new novel by the two, “Crossfire,’’ will be published later this year.

“It is an honor for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels,’’ Felix said in a statement.

Richard Francis was the younger son of a horse breeder in Tenby, South Wales.

He joined the Royal Air Force in 1940 and was stationed in Egypt in World War II before being commissioned as a bomber pilot in 1943, flying Spitfires, Wellingtons, and Lancasters.

A few years later he returned to his father’s stables and became a steeplechase trainer’s assistant. Later, as a professional jockey, he won 345 of the more than 2,300 races in which he rode between 1948 and 1957, taking the title of Britain’s Champion Jockey for the 1953-54 season.

His most famous moment in racing came just a few months before he retired, when, riding for Queen Elizabeth, his horse collapsed inexplicably within sight of certain victory in the 1956 Grand National.

Despite his many successes, he had expressed regret at never winning the prestigious Grand National.

“The first one I rode in I was second, and the last one I rode in I won everywhere except the last 25 yards. I would love the opportunity of having another go, but it’s a young man’s job,’’ he said during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corp.

Mr. Francis’s first book, published in 1957, was his autobiography, titled “The Sport of Queens.’’

His first novel, “Dead Cert,’’ came out in 1962 and was followed by a new title every year since.

He also worked for years as a racing correspondent for Britain’s Sunday Express, and retired in the British Caribbean territory of the Cayman Islands.

Besides his son Felix, Mr. Francis leaves another son, Merrick, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson.