SportHorse racingRoyal AscotRishi Persad joined other members of the Rogues Gallery group of owners after their horse Rogue Diplomat won the ultra-competitive Royal Hunt Cup18:54, 17 Jun 2026ITV Racing’s Rishi Persad had to put down his mic to step onto the Royal Ascot podium on Wednesday.Persad was on duty for the network conducting interviews of winning connections on day two of the five day royal meeting. But he found himself in the winners’ enclosure as an owner too, as well as presenter, after Rogue Diplomat pulled off a 28-1 success in the ultra-competitive Royal Hunt Cup.Persad is one of the members of the Rogues Gallery Racing Club whose other celebrity owners include Vinnie Jones, MC Neat, TOWIE star Elliott Wright and another ex-footballer Dean Windass.Rogue Diplomat, trained by James Owen, powered up the stands rail to claim the 1m handicap by a length under jockey Harry Davies.Persad, who also covers snooker, golf and tennis for the BBC, said: “We didn’t quite expect that. We had a couple of runners lined up and we weren’t sure whether he should run because of the ground, which had firm in it.“Most of his good form has come on soft ground but Harry Davies and James Owen wanted to run.“At halfway we thought we were on the wrong side of the track. The last two furlongs were a bit of a blur because I couldn’t believe how easily he won.”He went on: “There were 30 plus runners and we were being ‘diplomatic’ about whether or not he had a chance because there were enough doubts today.“Harry has a great record on this horse. He won four races at the back end of last season and he’s got back on him today.”It was the second time Persad has experienced Royal Ascot success having part of the same group that owned 2023 Duke of Cambridge Stakes winner Rogue Millennium.“It’s number two for us.” he said. “Rogue Millennium won the Duke of Cambridge on this day three years ago.”Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Royal AscotPrince WilliamDean WindassJames OwenHarry DaviesVinnie JonesBBCWilliam Hill Ltd.The Only Way Is EssexRoyal FamilyReality showsHorsesAscot racecourse