ITV host Rishi Persad recently experienced a moment of fear as he witnessed a missile attack while covering a horse racing event in Dubai, UAE. The incident occurred during filming, with Persad and his co-presenter observing a red light streaking through the sky followed by explosions, sending chills down his spine. Despite the unsettling situation, the racing event continued as scheduled.
Persad, 52, is currently stranded in Dubai due to flight cancellations amidst the ongoing conflict in the region. He is eager to return home for his wife’s upcoming birthday and fulfill his presenting duties at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. Concerned for his family’s well-being, Persad mentioned that his wife and daughter are understandably anxious about his safety given the circumstances.
The presenter had traveled to Dubai to cover the Super Saturday event at Meydan racecourse for Racing TV. Unaware of the conflict initially, he only learned about the situation from a colleague, Megan Nicholls, who informed him about the events unfolding in the Gulf region. Despite concerns raised by others, the Dubai Racing Club assured the safety of the event, allowing it to proceed as planned.
Throughout his work on Saturday evening, Persad noted missile strikes hitting prominent Dubai landmarks and the airport. However, his fears were somewhat eased when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, made an appearance at the race meeting, providing a sense of reassurance amidst the chaos.
In a separate development, US President Donald Trump announced major military operations in Iran, adding to the tense global situation. Persad remains hopeful to return to the UK soon after booking a flight, emphasizing the lack of contingency plans in place for his current predicament.