Richard Stanley Francis was a British crime writer, and former steeplechase jockey, whose novels centre on horse racing in England. Dick Francis left school at 15 without any qualifications, intending to become a jockey; by the time he was 18, in 1938, he also was training horses. Francis became a highly successful jockey, reaching celebrity status in the world of British National Hunt racing. During the Second World War, Francis volunteered, hoping to join the cavalry. Instead, he served in the Royal Air Force. After leaving the RAF in 1946, Francis became a highly successful jockey, reaching celebrity status in the world of British National Hunt racing. He won over 350 races, becoming a champion jockey in the 1953–54 season. All his novels deal with crime in the horse-racing world, with some of the criminals being outwardly respectable figures. Knock Down is a classic novel from Dick Francis, one of the greatest thriller writers of all time. For a generous commission, ex-prize-winning jockey Jonah Dereham agrees to bid on a special horse for a wealthy American lady. But his life is thrust into danger immediately following the auction when he receives a blow to the head by two thugs demanding ownership of the horse. Unfortunately, for him, the crunch on his skull after the auction is not the last. There's more in store until he manages to figure out the real high-stakes game being played… Listen online to free English audiobook "Knockdown” on our website to experience Dick Francis's novel.
