LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
In a world where stories of grit, dreams and destiny intersect, few tales are as heartwarming and inspiring as that of Griffin Johnson and his beloved racehorse, Sandman. What started as a chance opportunity soon evolved into a bond forged by trust, hope and a relentless pursuit of greatness, now culminating in their thrilling journey to the 151st Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby, often dubbed “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” isn’t just about speed and spectacle. It’s about the stories behind the silks—the dreamers, the horses, the hometowns they represent. Johnson and Sandman embody that magic.
“I traditionally do social media. That’s my bread and butter. That’s how I got here. So I wanted to do something that my hometown, Paris, and everyone I’m involved with could understand and put into perspective,” Johnson said. “I had a mutual friend randomly hit me up about a year ago and said, ‘Hey, I’m looking to get a racehorse. Would you be interested in partnering with me so we could make a cool story out of this?’ So I said, ‘Yeah, that sounds fun.’”
Sandman’s journey began not in a blaze of glory, but quietly, nestled among a herd of 15 horses left behind after the passing of a meticulous breeder known for collecting elite bloodlines. One of those horses, a gray colt with a playful spirit and sharp pedigree, caught the attention of Johnson and his partner, businessman and Florida Panthers owner Vincent “Vinnie” Viola. Together, they acquired Sandman for $1.2 million.
“(Sandman) was pretty much an untrained two-year-old, and he was just beautiful, but we knew nothing about him,” Johnson said. “We had never seen him run. We saw him walk out, but that was it; No breeze, no track, no training, nothing.”
Sandman’s racing journey began at Churchill Downs in June 2024, where he placed fifth
“It was not the result we were looking for,” Johnson said. “We ended up going to New York. It’s called ‘breaking your maiden’, but he won his first race, and from there on, he went to Arkansas. He recently won the Arkansas Derby, which was a super big race, a $1.5 million purse, and put him number one in points for the Kentucky Derby trail. He now sits at number two.”
The journey to the Derby is paved with early morning, tireless dedication and the quiet, unseen moments between man and horse. Johnson isn’t a hands-off investor. He’s as present as ever; in the barn, at training sessions and sharing in the joy of small victories and setbacks alike.
“I’m fully involved in his life. I go to all of his races. I travel anywhere in the world where he’s racing,” Johnson said. “I wash and feed him. I’m super involved with the team, his training, his progress reports and how he’s doing. I’ve pretty much done it all, from prep to seeing him after his race. So I would say we’ve become pretty good buddies. He might say I’m just good for treats, but he at least puts on a good show.”
Sandman is a striking blend of power and playfulness, a 17-hand thoroughbred with a championship pedigree and a heart full of charm. Though he hails from an elite bloodline, his sire being the legendary Tapit, Sandman is anything but intimidating once he’s back at the barn.
“He is a very, very goofy, calm, fun horse to be around. Everyone who works with him in the barn loves Sandman,” Johnson said.
Their trainer, two-time Hall of Famer Mark Casse, has helped shape Sandman’s racing talent. But Johnson’s presence adds something deeper—the kind of emotional connection that transforms a competitor into a companion.
“Our relationship, I would say, is that he knows I’m bringing the treats, he knows I’m bringing the cameras and every time he sees me, he flips a switch. It’s like he turns into a showman. He loves to show off for the camera. He loves attention and affection from anybody, and he’s a huge peppermint guy. So if you ever get the chance to see him, bring a couple of peppermints, and he’ll pretty much be your friend instantly,” Johnson explained.
The moment Sandman gears up for a race or practice, he immediately locks into work mode, and nothing can stop him from reaching his goals.
“He knows his job, and he knows our relationship,” Johnson said. “He knows I’m pulling out the cameras, and as soon as I pop up, he perks his ears up, pops his head up and pokes his chest out. He’s standing out of his stall, prancing, dancing and moving around. And when he hits the track, he’s just a beast. It’s a different horse. The second he comes off, he’s back to being goofy. It’s pretty incredible.”
“It’s weird, because you don’t think that horses are as smart and they know what’s going on, but they definitely do,” Johnson said. “He knows when he just came off a big win, and he knows there are a lot of people watching him. He’s very alert and attentive. It’s night and day … The second you put his harness on and get the bit in, he’s foaming at the mouth. He knows he’s getting ready to go to the track, and he loves to run. He knows his job and what he’s there to do. That’s what he looks forward to doing.”
For Johnson, Sandman’s story is more than a tale of athletic promise; it’s a symbol of possibility. Johnson’s roots run deep in Paris—not the city of lights, but a small town in Illinois.
“Fortunately and unfortunately, I did not grow up with horses because we did not have the means to upkeep horses. So I was never presented with the opportunity. But, now, later in life, I realized that I enjoy being around horses and being in the industry,” he said.
“(Growing up) I’ve bailed plenty of hay. I’ve fed horses and ridden around with the 4-H ponies. I think the craziest part of growing up in Paris, I felt going to the Kentucky Derby was something super far-fetched because of how much money it costs to go there. I grew up with nothing,” Johnson said. “Taking someone from a small town like this, and getting to that point is obviously a little bit wacky and crazy…Coming from a town of 8,000 people, I think that’s pretty cool.
“You know, we’re talking 150,000 people attending the Kentucky Derby, which is, you know, over 15 times what’s in Paris. If you put everyone in the old high school gym and multiply that, it’s crazy to think about. In Paris, the biggest horse we’ve ever had is maybe a champion barrel horse. So it’s pretty awesome to be standing here, and hopefully I can inspire anyone in horses from around town to pursue their dreams, even though people might say they’re crazy,” Johnson said.
As the first Saturday in May approaches, excitement crackles in the air. On May 3, Sandman will step onto the hallowed ground of Churchill Downs, not as a wide-eyed debutante, but as a top contender.
“We will be drawing post positions on April 26 to see where he’s going to start at the gate,” Johnson said. “The dynamic between Sandman and me is that we both took a chance on each other. I went in on this and have made $0 from it. Some people are thinking that I’m just making a killing, but I’m net negative right now. So both of us have taken huge, huge risks on each other. He’s really formed a trust in me and wants to be my friend, which is interesting for a partner horse relationship. I feel like you don’t get that a lot in horse racing.”
Regardless of how Sandman performs on Derby Day, Johnson’s heart is set on staying in the sport.
“I’m going to start planning my next Derby horse. That is my plan to a tee. I’m obsessed with it, and I have full intentions of continuing to do it every year,” he said. “If he wins the Kentucky Derby, realistically, I’m hoping I can come home and do something for Paris. I haven’t really thought of what that would look like, but I’d love to do something for my hometown. That’s the reason I got into this.”
“Horse racing has a lot to offer for everyone. I think that the journey and the people who have joined in have really enjoyed it. That’s what’s keeping me in now. And I hope that after this year, if we can secure a win in one of the big Triple Crown races, I can continue to do that throughout the years for everyone,” Johnson said.
In just a week, all eyes will be on Churchill Downs. And while the world watches the gates burst open and the thunder of hooves fills the track, one thing is certain: Griffin Johnson and Sandman have already made their mark—not just as competitors, but as symbols of heart, hustle and hope. In the end, the Derby isn’t just about who crosses the finish line first. It’s about the stories that lead them there.
“I think it’s important that every person from home gets to experience at least one Derby in their life. There’s something in the air there that is just incredible on that day. So, anyone who can get a group of friends and make it to the Derby, I highly recommend it,” Johnson said.
“For me. I’m just hoping to compete. I want to enjoy the day. I’m hoping to see some people from home, and some friends from around. Just seeing people show up, support and having a good race that day,” Johnson said. “Regardless of win or loss, we can make everyone proud and show people that we’re here to race. We still have two more Triple Crown races after this, and I hope that people can continue to support after the Derby, because it’s going to be a really fun ride. I think that we can end up squeaking out one of these races, and it’ll be a good day.”
Post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby is at 6:57 p.m. EST (5:57 p.m. local time) on Saturday, May 3. The Derby will stream on USA Network, NBC and Peacock.