With a mixed following of over 14 million on social media, influencer Griffin Johnson is eagerly venturing into a brand new area as he awaits the debut of his racehorse, Sandman, on June 27 at Churchill Downs. Though this marks Johnson’s first possession stake in a Thoroughbred, horses have all the time been a major a part of his life.
“Rising up in Southern Illinois, horses had been an enormous a part of our native tradition,” Johnson recollects. “I rode my first horse earlier than I used to be sufficiently old to recollect, however as I obtained older most of my expertise with horses was baling the hay to feed them.”
Johnson’s curiosity in horse racing deepened considerably after attending the Kentucky Derby earlier this 12 months, an occasion that had been a lifelong dream. “The Derby expertise might solely be in comparison with one thing just like the NBA finals blended with Coachella,” he remarked. “It’s a one-of-a-kind expertise that blends style, class, and adrenaline like no different.”
This chance comes via America’s Finest Racing’s influencer possession initiative, A Stake in Stardom, introduced by Sport of Silks. Designed to immerse influential figures like Johnson within the sport of Thoroughbred racing as minority house owners, this system supplies behind-the-scenes entry at racing’s largest occasions that members share with their followers. West Level Thoroughbreds, the primary racing syndicate to take part in 2022, has since shared possession of choose horses with eight influencers, together with Johnson and his 2-year-old horse, Sandman.
“I used to be an informal fan earlier than my introduction to America’s Finest Racing and West Level Thoroughbreds, however instantly knew partnering was the proper resolution as soon as the chance was introduced,” Johnson defined. “I like to compete at a excessive degree and I discovered that horse racing was an ideal match for my adrenaline wants.”
As a newly minted minority proprietor of the syndicate’s $1.2 million OBS March buy, Johnson couldn’t cross up the chance to attend Sandman’s first race alongside fellow West Level Thoroughbreds house owners. In anticipation of this much-awaited debut, Johnson spoke about what he’s trying ahead to in his endeavor into the world of Thoroughbred racing.
“I’m most excited to expertise the highs and lows of getting an athletic youngster that competes on the highest degree. I can’t wait to see the development from begin to end,” Johnson stated.
The response from Johnson’s followers has been overwhelmingly optimistic. “I believe that persons are excited to be taught extra about horse racing and what it will possibly provide for an informal race-day viewer,” he famous. “Most significantly, they want to see Sandman develop and to have a relationship with him like an proprietor themselves.”
Including to the anticipation is the selection of jockey for Sandman’s maiden race. Johnson is proud to have Eclipse Award winner Jose Ortiz within the irons, noting Ortiz’s ability and demeanor as key components in bringing out one of the best in his horse.
“I’m very proud to have Jose driving Sandman for his first race,” Johnson stated. “We obtained the prospect to fulfill on the Kentucky Derby, and I consider he has the right demeanor to deliver out one of the best in Sandman. I’m past assured in his capabilities and can’t wait to observe him put his coronary heart into this race.”
Griffin Johnson’s debut as a racehorse proprietor symbolizes not solely a private milestone, but additionally a gateway for his followers to delve into the thrilling world of Thoroughbred racing.
Followers which can be invested in Sandman’s inaugural race can watch the reside broadcast from Churchill Downs on FanDuel TV and may place bets in help of his win with a platform like 1/ST Guess. Sandman drew publish place #12 in race 3 at 5:58 p.m. on Thursday, June 27.
