This month, America’s Finest Racing teamed up with Griffin Johnson and Breeders’ Cup for an Instagram sweepstakes giving one fortunate entrant the final word Breeders’ Cup getaway. Meet Tory Erwin, who received the competition and shall be heading to Del Mar to take pleasure in a weekend of world-class racing and a meet-and-greet with Griffin himself.
Title: Tory Erwin
Age: 23
The place you’re from: Raleigh, N.C.
Present job/profession aspirations: At present a grasp’s scholar at North Carolina State College, with a give attention to equine vitamin and train physiology. Future profession aspirations: nonetheless TBD! Possibly educating, analysis, a feed firm, however staying inside the equine business in some capability.
How did you first uncover the competition, and what made you determine to enter? I adopted the Breeders’ Cup on Instagram after finishing an equine-based analysis internship final yr. I made numerous mates within the business from all around the world out in Lexington, whether or not different interns, college students, or folks engaged on the farms. Certainly one of our mates was in a position to attend the Breeders’ Cup final yr and had probably the most wonderful time. Ever since, it’s been on my bucket checklist! Being a scholar on the East Coast makes it costly to recover from to California, so my mates and I (from Eire, England, and New Zealand) stated we’d make it occur sooner or later. So, once I noticed the competition in my social media feed, I entered and tagged two of them as a nod to that dream, completely considering we’d by no means win. Now we’re right here, and I nonetheless can’t imagine it!
How did you first uncover Griffin Johnson? Have you ever been a longtime follower of his? Since I’m new to the Thoroughbred world as of final yr, it was thrilling to comply with the possible Derby horses. Sandman was a super-fun horse to observe, and so I adopted his Derby prep. That’s how I found Griffin Johnson, by his content material on Sandman.
What are you most excited to speak to Griffin about if you meet him? I’m excited to talk with Griffin about his expertise as an entire, the place he’s been in a position to journey with racing, his favourite races he’s seen or tracks, and so forth. It will even be attention-grabbing to listen to about what he has deliberate for the longer term and what involvement that can entail.
How did you initially develop into excited by horse racing? The internship I accomplished final yr carried out equine analysis totally on Thoroughbreds, with one farm in Ocala, Fla., having 3-year-olds on a coaching observe, and off-track Thoroughbreds in Lexington, Ky. Working with these horses, the places, and the train physiology analysis we did all had sturdy ties to the racing business, so it was simple to develop into ! Me and my fellow interns received to tour a number of huge stud farms, equine veterinary/rehabilitation services, gross sales, and races. In Ocala, it was our job to tack up the 3-year-old Thoroughbreds for our train rider, so we received to expertise that aspect of “coaching” and dealing with.
Who’s your favourite racehorse of all time and why? Zenyatta! Once I discovered about this iconic mare, I used to be hooked. Her being the primary mare to win the Breeders’ Cup Basic, too, is wonderful. What a legend to beat all of the boys and provides the group a present each time. Plus, she’s beautiful! I like to see how big she was standing subsequent to an individual. (Within the spirit of woman energy, I even have to present a nod to the not too long ago retired Thorpedo Anna, one other legendary filly.)
Have you ever ever been to the Breeders’ Cup earlier than? I’ve not! Lifetime bucket checklist merchandise about to be checked off.
What are you trying ahead to most about this yr’s Breeders’ Cup? I’m trying ahead to having the ability to reunite with my good friend (visitor) from throughout the pond and revel in such a particular expertise collectively. I can’t wait to do some betting and attempt to choose who’ll win! I’m excited to see which horses would be the ones to maintain an eye fixed out for this racing season.
Is there anybody else you hope to satisfy when you’re on the Breeders’ Cup (one other celeb, coach, jockey, horse, and so forth.)? I hope to shake as many fingers as doable! It will be wonderful to satisfy 2024 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., and jockeys Frankie Dettori or Irad Ortiz Jr. Legendary trainers like Bob Baffert and Kenny McPeek would even be unimaginable. You by no means know which celebrities shall be at races, so I hope to identify them out and about!
Do you’ve gotten a favourite Breeders’ Cup race in historical past? I must say Zenyatta’s iconic win.
What horse or race are you most trying ahead to seeing in particular person on the 2025 Breeders’ Cup? Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Basic! I can’t wait to see huge names within the business and simply expertise high racing pleasure in particular person.
The place had been you if you came upon you received, and what was your response? I used to be strolling my good friend’s canine and listening to a Zoom name. I completely thought I used to be being pranked, however I additionally needed it to be true so dangerous. I used to be silently freaking out! I texted the group chat with my equine mates (from all of the totally different international locations), and everybody began going loopy. All of them needed to ensure it was professional, however after that, it was a frenzy of pleasure from everybody!
While you informed your family and friends, how did they reply? Individuals thought I used to be joking once I stated I received this expertise, and it wasn’t till America’s Finest Racing introduced me on their Instagram story because the winner that everybody freaked out and began congratulating me or inquiring about what I’d received/the race. My mates thought it was so humorous that I’d be the winner. My household is so excited for me! I used to be born in Palo Alto, Calif., however grew up and think about North Carolina residence. So, my mother stated it is going to be my homecoming to the Golden State after a few years!
Who’re you bringing with you, and was it a contest to be your plus one? I’m bringing my good friend I made whereas in Lexington, Shauna McElroy, from Eire, as my visitor. She’s taught me a lot concerning the Thoroughbred world, and we’ve had so many good occasions collectively, I needed to carry her. We had a lot enjoyable going to the Keeneland fall races final yr, so I knew it needed to be her if she may come. There have been undoubtedly a number of volunteers to be my visitor, hah! Shauna is my go-to for all issues horse racing, so it made it simple to choose ultimately.
