ITV host Rishi Persad recently experienced a chilling moment when he encountered a missile attack while covering a horse racing event in Dubai, UAE. Persad described the tense situation where he and his co-presenter witnessed explosions in the sky during the event, which left him unnerved but did not disrupt their broadcasting duties.
The 52-year-old presenter, currently stranded in Dubai due to flight cancellations amid the ongoing conflict, expressed concerns for his family’s safety back home. He shared that his wife and daughter are understandably anxious about his well-being, as they have never had to worry about his safety while traveling before.
Persad, who had traveled to Dubai to cover the Super Saturday meeting at Meydan racecourse, was unaware of the escalating situation until fellow presenter Megan Nicholls informed him. Despite the uncertainty and rumors circulating at the event, the Dubai Racing Club assured the safety of the venue and attendees, allowing the event to proceed as planned.
The presenter recounted a moment of relief when Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, made an appearance at the race meeting, which helped ease concerns amid the chaos. Despite the tense atmosphere and reports of missile strikes in Dubai, Persad continued his duties on air, finding reassurance in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed.
Last Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced the start of “major combat operations” between the US and Israeli militaries in Iran, adding to the geopolitical tensions in the region. Persad remains hopeful to return to the UK soon after booking a flight, aiming to be back in time for his wife’s birthday celebration and the upcoming Cheltenham Festival duties.