ITV Racing presenter Rishi Persad experienced a harrowing missile attack firsthand while hosting a horse racing event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During a broadcast at Meydan Racecourse, Persad and his co-presenter Angus McNae witnessed missiles streaking across the sky, followed by loud explosions.
Recalling the moment, Persad said, “The cameramen filming us were staring into the sky, mouthing ‘Oh s**t.’ We turned and saw what looked like a red light fizzing through the sky, then heard explosions. One explosion was so loud it sent a shiver down my spine. But despite this, the racing continued, and so did we.”
Persad, 52, had traveled to Dubai to cover the Super Saturday race meeting for Racing TV but remained unaware of the escalating conflict until fellow presenter Megan Nicholls informed him of the situation. “I had no idea until Megan mentioned the Gulf situation when we met in the hotel lobby,” he said.
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The presenter is now stranded in the UAE due to multiple flight cancellations triggered by the conflict but has managed to secure a flight home scheduled for Thursday afternoon. He hopes to return in time to celebrate his wife Holly’s 50th birthday and to fulfill his presenting duties at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival.
“Holly and my 15-year-old daughter Evie are understandably worried as they’ve never had to consider my safety abroad before,” Persad shared. “ITV is fully aware of the situation and supportive.”
During the crisis, operations continued under assurances from the Dubai Racing Club and UAE officials that safety measures were in place. Notably, the appearance of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, at the race meeting helped ease some of the tension. “Seeing His Highness at the races was reassuring—it meant it was safe to continue,” Persad explained.
The missile attacks targeted prominent Dubai landmarks such as the Fairmont The Palm, Burj Al Arab hotels, and the airport, leading to a tense atmosphere despite ongoing broadcasts.
This incident coincides with heightened regional tensions after US President Donald Trump declared “major combat operations” between US and Israeli forces and Iran on February 28, escalating concerns throughout the Gulf region.