If you love horse racing, chances are you’ve seen Rishi Persad on your screen. He has been a familiar face in the media since making his first TV appearance on At The Races back in 2002, following earlier work in public relations around the turn of the millennium. However, Persad’s journey didn’t begin in the UK — he was born much further afield, originally from the Caribbean.
Born on 25th May 1973 in Trinidad to Indian parents — his father a lawyer and his mother a bank manager — Rishi’s passion for horse racing was inspired by his father, who was also a horse breeder. The two shared a deep enjoyment for the sport in their native Trinidad. As a child, Rishi would often accompany his father to the stables or to Santa Rosa Park, the country’s only racecourse, located in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago. It’s likely they enjoyed watching the prestigious Trinidad Derby Stakes together.
Cricket was another sport the family followed closely, with Trinidad and Tobago competing in the West Indies domestic championships.
At the age of 12 (in 1985), Persad moved to England to attend boarding school at Cambridge.
After completing his A-Levels, he studied law at King’s College London, a public and research university, where he earned his degree.
Following a brief stint in public relations, he got his first break in sports broadcasting with At The Races.
His talents were quickly recognised, and by 2003 he had joined Channel 4 Racing. However, this position was short-lived — just a few months later, he was offered a role with the BBC, covering a wide range of sports.
One of his standout moments at the BBC came in 2011 when he presented coverage of the Cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent.
After a major reshuffle in terrestrial TV coverage of horse racing — which saw the BBC lose its contract to Channel 4 — Persad rejoined Channel 4 Racing in 2012 and resumed presenting in 2013. Many viewers will remember his memorable interview with the retiring A.P. McCoy, who had achieved 200 winners in a season for the 10th consecutive year.
Three years later, in 2016, Channel 4 lost the broadcasting rights to horse racing, and ITV took over. Persad was retained for ITV’s new lineup as a journalist and racing commentator, often conducting interviews with some of the most notable figures in sport. His balanced mix of professionalism, expert insight and personal warmth make his a standout broadcaster in the sports world.
Today, he continues his work with ITV Racing and Racing TV, a channel dedicated to coverage from major racecourses and festivals such as Cheltenham and Royal Ascot.
He remains a key presenter across several platforms, covering sports including:
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Horse Racing (all major events, including the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot)
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Golf (The Masters and Ryder Cup)
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Tennis (Wimbledon)
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Snooker (World Snooker Championships)
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Olympics
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Commonwealth Games
In addition, he serves as a trustee of the Racing Foundation, helping support the future of horse racing. His contributions and work ethic have made a significant impact on the sport and its media landscape.