This month, America’s Best Racing teamed up with Griffin Johnson and Breeders’ Cup for an Instagram sweepstakes that gave one lucky participant the ultimate Breeders’ Cup getaway. Meet Tory Erwin, who won the race and heads to Del Mar to enjoy a weekend of world-class racing and a meet-and-greet with Griffin himself.
Name: Tory Erwin
Age: 23
Where do you come from: Raleigh, NC
Current job/career aspirations: Currently a master’s student at North Carolina State University, focusing on equine nutrition and exercise physiology. Future career ambitions: TBA! Maybe teaching, research, a feed company, but staying within the horse industry in some capacity.
How did you first discover the competition and what made you want to enter? I followed the Breeders’ Cup on Instagram after completing an equine research internship last year. I have made many friends in the industry in Lexington from all over the world, whether it be other interns, students or people who work on the farms. One of our friends was able to attend the Breeders’ Cup last year and had a great time. It’s been on my bucket list ever since! As a student on the East Coast, it is expensive to travel to California, so my friends and I (from Ireland, England, and New Zealand) said we would make it happen someday. So when I saw the contest in my social media feed, I entered and tagged two as a nod to that dream, thinking we would never win. Now here we are, and I still can’t believe it!
How did you first discover Griffin Johnson? Have you been a follower of his for a long time? Being new to the thoroughbred world since last year, it was exciting to follow the future Derby horses. Sandman was a super fun horse to watch, so I followed his Derby preparation. That’s how I discovered Griffin Johnson, through his content on Sandman.
What do you most want to talk about with Griffin when you meet him? I’d love to talk to Griffin about his whole experience, where he’s been able to travel racing, his favorite races he’s seen or followed, etc. It would also be interesting to hear what he has planned for the future and what involvement that entails.
How did you originally become interested in horse racing? The internship I completed last year researched horses, primarily Thoroughbreds, with one farm in Ocala, Florida, with three-year-olds on a training track, and Thoroughbreds off the track in Lexington, Kentucky. Working with these horses, the locations and the exercise physiology research we did all had strong links with the racing industry, so it was easy to become interested! I and my fellow interns had the opportunity to visit several large stud farms, equine veterinary/rehabilitation facilities, sales and races. In Ocala our job was to tackle the three year old thoroughbreds for our practice rider so we could experience that side of ‘training’ and handling.
Who is your favorite racehorse of all time and why? Zenyatta! When I heard about this iconic mare, I was hooked. The fact that she is the first mare to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic is also great. What a legend to beat all the boys and give the crowd a show every time. Plus she’s beautiful! I love how tall she stood next to a person. (In the spirit of girl power, I must also give a nod to the recently retired Thorpedo Anna, another legendary filly.)
Have you ever been to the Breeders Cup? I don’t have that! Lifelong bucket list item that can soon be checked off.
What are you most looking forward to about this year’s Breeders’ Cup?? I look forward to being with my friend (guest) from across the pond again and enjoying such a special experience together. I can’t wait to gamble and try to determine who will win! I’m curious to know which horses to keep an eye on this racing season.
Is there anyone else you hope to meet while attending the Breeders’ Cup (another celebrity, trainer, jockey, horse, etc.)? I hope to shake as many hands as possible! It would be great to see Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. from 2024, and jockeys Frankie Dettori or Irad Ortiz Jr. Legendary trainers like Bob Baffert and Kenny McPeek would also be incredible. You never know which celebrities will be at races, so I hope to spot them everywhere!
Do you have a favorite Breeders’ Cup race from history? I would have to say Zenyatta’s iconic win.
What horse or breed are you most looking forward to seeing in person at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup? Saturday Breeders’ Cup Classic! I can’t wait to see big names in the industry and experience the racing excitement in person.
Where were you when you heard you won, and what was your reaction? I was walking my friend’s dog and listening to a Zoom call. I totally thought I was being fooled, but I also really wanted it to be true. I was quietly going crazy! I texted the group chat with my horse friends (from all different countries) and everyone started going crazy. They all wanted to make sure it was legit, but then everyone was in a frenzy!
How did they react when you told your friends and family? People thought I was joking when I said I won this experience, and it wasn’t until America’s Best Racing announced me as the winner on their Instagram story that everyone panicked and started congratulating me or asking about what I won/the race. My friends thought it was so funny that I would be the winner. My family is so excited for me! I was born in Palo Alto, California, but grew up calling North Carolina home. So my mom said this will be my homecoming to the Golden State after many years!
Who are you bringing with you and was it a competition to be your plus one? I’m bringing my friend I made while in Lexington, Shauna McElroy, from Ireland, as my guest. She taught me so much about the thoroughbred world, and we had so many good times together, that I had to take her along. We had so much fun going to the Keeneland fall races last year, so I knew if she could make it, it had to be her. There were definitely several volunteers to be my guests, hah! Shauna is my go-to for all things horse racing, so that made the choice easy in the end.
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