Racing has a racial diversity problem – and Rishi Persad was right to say so

Rishi Persad is a good man. When speaking to Josh Apiafi on Sky Sports Racing, he tried to do a good thing. Some of the reaction to what he said – indeed, all too much of it – was wholly depressing.

The social media criticism and hostility directed towards Persad was, in itself, an indication of why he was so right to place a focus on racing's racial diversity failings.

Professionally, and across its fan base, racing does have a problem, one that should be blatantly obvious. The fact Persad wants the sport to more actively confront that problem is to his credit.