Best-selling British thriller writer and steeplechase jockey great Dick Francis died in his home in the Cayman Islands Feb. 14, The Associated Press reported. He was 89.

His son Felix said he and his brother, Merrick, were "devastated" by their father’s death, but "rejoice in having been the sons of such an extraordinary man."

"We share in the joy that he brought to so many over such a long life," Felix said in a statement. Francis’ spokeswoman Ruth Cairns said the writer had died from natural causes, but did not elaborate.

Francis was the author of 42 novels. He was also a champion jockey, riding 2,305 races from 1948-57, winning 345 of them, according to the Press Association Reporter in Great Britain