This month, America’s Best Racing teamed up with Griffin Johnson and Breeders’ Cup for an Instagram sweepstakes giving one lucky entrant the ultimate Breeders’ Cup getaway. Meet Tory Erwin, who won the contest and will be heading 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 you’re from: Raleigh, N.C.

Current job/career aspirations: Currently a master’s student at North Carolina State University, with a focus on equine nutrition and exercise physiology. Future career aspirations: still TBD! Maybe teaching, research, a feed company, but staying within the equine industry in some capacity.

A selfie with a wild horses at Shackleford Banks, N.C. (Courtesy of Tory Erwin)

How did you first discover the contest, and what made you decide to enter? I followed the Breeders’ Cup on Instagram after completing an equine-based research internship last year. I made lots of friends in the industry from all over the world out in Lexington, whether other interns, students, or people working on the farms. One of our friends was able to attend the Breeders’ Cup last year and had the most amazing time. Ever since, it’s been on my bucket list! Being a student on the East Coast makes it expensive to get over to California, so my friends and I (from Ireland, England, and New Zealand) said we’d make it happen one day. So, when I saw the contest in my social media feed, I entered and tagged two of them as a nod to that dream, totally thinking we’d never win. Now we’re here, and I still can’t believe it!

How did you first discover Griffin Johnson? Have you been a longtime follower of his? Since I’m new to the Thoroughbred world as of last year, it was exciting to follow the prospective Derby horses. Sandman was a super-fun horse to watch, and so I followed his Derby prep. That’s how I discovered Griffin Johnson, through his content on Sandman.  

What are you most excited to talk to Griffin about when you meet him? I’m excited to chat with Griffin about his experience as a whole, where he’s been able to travel with racing, his favorite races he’s seen or tracks, etc. It would also be interesting to hear about what he has planned for the future and what involvement that will entail.

How did you originally become interested in horse racing? The internship I completed last year conducted equine research primarily on Thoroughbreds, with one farm in Ocala, Fla., having 3-year-olds on a training track, and off-track Thoroughbreds in Lexington, Ky. Working with these horses, the locations, and the exercise physiology research we did all had strong ties to the racing industry, so it was easy to become interested! Me and my fellow interns got to tour several big stud farms, equine veterinary/rehabilitation facilities, sales, and races. In Ocala, it was our job to tack up the 3-year-old Thoroughbreds for our exercise rider, so we got to experience that side of “training” and handling.

Who’s your favorite racehorse of all time and why? Zenyatta! When I learned about this iconic mare, I was hooked. Her being the first mare to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, too, is amazing. What a legend to beat all the boys and give the crowd a show every time. Plus, she’s gorgeous! I love to see how huge she was standing next to a person. (In the spirit of girl power, I also have to give a nod to the recently retired Thorpedo Anna, another legendary filly.)

Have you ever been to the Breeders’ Cup before? I have not! Lifetime bucket list item about to be checked off.

What are you looking forward to most about this year’s Breeders’ Cup? I’m looking forward to being able to reunite with my friend (guest) from across the pond and enjoy such a special experience together. I can’t wait to do some betting and try to pick who’ll win! I’m excited to see which horses will be the ones to keep an eye out for this racing season.

Is there anyone else you hope to meet while you’re at the Breeders’ Cup (another celeb, trainer, jockey, horse, etc.)? I hope to shake as many hands as possible! It would be amazing to meet 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 also be incredible. You never know which celebrities will be at races, so I hope to spot them out and about!

Erwin with beloved 3-year-old “Momo” (Courtesy of Tory Erwin)

Do you have a favorite Breeders’ Cup race in history? I would have to say Zenyatta’s iconic win.

What horse or race are you most looking forward to seeing in person at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup? Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic! I can’t wait to see big names in the industry and just experience top racing excitement in person.

Where were you when you found out 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 pranked, but I also wanted it to be true so bad. I was silently freaking out! I texted the group chat with my equine friends (from all the different countries), and everyone started going crazy. They all wanted to make sure it was legitimate, but after that, it was a frenzy of excitement from everyone!

When you told your friends and family, how did they respond? People thought I was joking when I said I won this experience, and it wasn’t until America’s Best Racing announced me on their Instagram story as the winner that everyone freaked out and started congratulating me or inquiring about what I’d won/the race. My friends thought it was so funny that I’d be the winner. My family is so excited for me! I was born in Palo Alto, Calif., but grew up and consider North Carolina home. So, my mom said it will be my homecoming to the Sunshine State after many years!

Who are you bringing with you, and was it a contest to be your plus one? I’m bringing my friend I made while in Lexington, Shauna McElroy, from Ireland, as my guest. She’s taught me so much about the Thoroughbred world, and we’ve had so many good times together, I had to bring her. We had so much fun going to the Keeneland fall races last year, so I knew it had to be her if she could come. There were definitely several volunteers to be my guest, hah! Shauna is my go-to for all things horse racing, so it made it easy to pick in the end.