Rishi Persad

Emma Berry, European editor at Thoroughbred Daily News, is among the writers shortlisted for the 2025 HWPA Derby Awards, which take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Monday, December 1. Berry is nominated in the Specialist Writer of the Year category, along with Bill Barber and Alan Sweetman from the Racing Post and Laura Joy from European Bloodstock News. The shortlist for the Racing Writer of the Year features three previous winners in Lee Mottershead, bidding for a fourth victory, Peter Thomas, who lifted the trophy in...

The second Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Del Mar just ahead of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV. The event begins at 5 p.m. PT, and FanDuel TV's live coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT to coincide with the start of the sale. Coverage will be hosted by international sports broadcaster Rishi Persad and Keeneland Director of Communications Gabby Gaudet and be broadcast from the Del Mar Paddock. "FanDuel does a tremendous job capturing the atmosphere and energy...

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) held the 59th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA) at Le Méridien Paris Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France on Monday. During this year's Conference, there was a particular focus on racing betting, both in the legal and illegal markets, along with marketing and customer experience. Throughout the course of the day, 165 delegates from around 40 countries heard from leaders from around the globe on these pressing topics. "The International Conference has for many years provided a platform for all of us,...

Simone Meloni was named the 2025 Employee of the Year at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, which were held at York Racecourse on Monday. The event, now in its 21st year, was hosted by broadcaster Rishi Persad and featured special guest appearances from double-Olympic gold medallist Laura Collett and dual champion jockey, William Buick. With a background in showjumping is his native Italy, Meloni is now employed by National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson. He took home £10,000 of prize-money for winning the Employee of the Year Award,...

The 18 finalists for the 2025 renewal of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, were announced on Monday. Now in their 21st year, the awards recognise and reward the skill, passion and commitment of the extraordinary people working across the British racing and breeding industry. The finalists will now head to York Racecourse on Monday, February 24 for the last round of judging and the prestigious ceremony, where the six category winners and overall Employee of the Year will be crowned. Hosted by Rishi Persad, the ceremony will...

Dual Olympic gold medallist Laura Collett MBE has today been announced as the guest of honour at the ceremony for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin. The annual celebration of British racing's workforce, which takes place at York Racecourse on Monday, February 24, will be hosted by ITV Racing and Racing TV presenter Rishi Persad. Nominations for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards are open until Tuesday, November 5 and should be made online by following this link. There are six award categories to choose from and £128,500...

Rishi Persad has been appointed to the Racing Foundation Board of Trustees. A racing broadcaster and member of the ITV Racing and Racing TVG teams, Persad joins the recently appointed Jim Boyle, Linda Bowles, Susannah Gill, Louise Kemble, Alice Page and Algy Smith-Maxwell on the Racing Foundation's Board of Trustees, which is chaired by Julia Budd. Budd said, "I'm so pleased Rishi will be joining us on the Foundation's Board of Trustees. With a broadcasting career spanning over two decades, his experience both within racing and of the wider sporting...

The British Horseracing Authority, The Horsemen's Group and the Racecourse Association released a joint statement on Friday concerning diversity in racing. The statement comes on the heels of television presenter Rishi Persad receiving negative feedback for speaking out against racism in recent days, responses the groups say they condemn. The BHA invited Persad to join its scheduled meeting on Wednesday to share his views on racing's approach to diversity. The joint statement read, "Racing prides itself on the welcome it gives to all. We want to engage fans from all...