When it comes to professional hockey athletes, most people wouldn’t imagine that they would turn into racehorse owners. It is quite a strange transition, to be honest, but since we are talking about the Sport of Kings, all it takes is one race, and you’ll be a changed person forever.
Well, that thing happened to Erik Johnson, a skilled defenseman who made quite an impressive mark in the NHL, particularly with the Colorado Avalanche. After all, we are talking about a Stanley Cup champion former No. 1 overall draft pick, and someone that spent years battling on the ice.
But hockey wasn’t his only passion. Down beneath lay a competitive passion for horse racing. And we are not talking about being a casual fan or attending races like the Kentucky Derby like most other athletes. No, no. We are talking about a deep dive into the horse racing industry that got him to become a racehorse owner.
And as far as we can see, Johnson has been investing in the sport with the same intensity that made him an elite hockey player. So, how did a professional hockey player transition to racehorse ownership, and did he have the same success on the turf? Let’s find out.
A Passion for Horse Racing
Johnson’s interest in horse racing isn’t an overnight story. In fact, growing up in Minnesota, he spent most of his time watching horse racing events, which is where his passion comes from.
Over time he started to dive deeper into the sport learning more about bloodlines, training techniques, and even racing strategies, which got him thinking – “Why not become a racehorse owner?”
Well, it was an obvious choice. He was a fan of the sport, knew how horse racing works, and he became an expert breeder, so, it was an easy choice for him.
He is one of the rare athletes that manages to make both sports works. He is a racehorse owner, and still an NHL player, which is quite hard.
Unlike many other high-profile athletes who dabble in racing, Johnson took a hands-on approach. He decided to learn everything about the sport and opened his horse racing company called ERJ Racing, LLC.
This made him a proprietor and commercial racehorse breeder for that company, and he explained that horse racing is his outlet away from hockey.
“I often tell the guys there’s no better feeling than watching your horse in the lead as they charge for home. I tell them it’s just like scoring an NHL goal.”
He is obviously a big horse racing fan, and in multiple interviews, he said that he can talk about horse racing all day long.
Ownership and Racing Success
He started to dive deeper into racehorse ownership about 10 years ago, after watching all of the big races like the Kentucky Derby on TV.
Will we see his horses running in the TwinSpires.com 2025 Kentucky Derby prep races? We still don’t know but he has a lot of options to choose from.
Johnson has been involved in multiple racehorses, partnering with respected trainers and ownership groups to compete at a high level. His stable has featured talented runners, some of whom have competed in major stakes races across the country.
Okay, he might not be the next Bob Baffert, but remember, this isn’t his main job, and he is darn good at it.
He owned multiple racehorses throughout his career, from Landeskog, which was named after his former teammate Gabriel Landeskog, to Crosscheck Carlos, which was actually a horse trained by Doug O’Neill, a man who was so close to winning the Triple Crown after a win at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2012.
“He told me to buy into him,” recalls Johnson, pictured below with NFL star Tony Romo and Doug O’Neill. “He said, ‘you need to buy into this horse…he’s a running son of a gun!’” – Johnson said.
But that’s not all, he also has Tall It All (2-year-old filly) Bourque, Where’s the D (strange name, for sure), La Vitesse and a pair of another 2-year-old with O’Neill.
Balancing Hockey and Horsepower
Owning racehorses while playing professional hockey is a balancing act. The rigorous NHL schedule, full of long road trips and relentless training, leaves little room for outside ventures. However, Johnson has managed to remain heavily involved in racing, using technology to watch races remotely and communicate with his team.
Whenever possible, he makes time to attend major race meets, whether it’s at Del Mar, Churchill Downs, or Saratoga. His presence at these events reflects his commitment to the sport beyond simply being an investor.
Future in Horse Racing Beyond Hockey
As Johnson nears the later stages of his NHL career, his passion for horse racing shows no signs of fading. In fact, many believe his post-hockey career could see him deepen his involvement, perhaps expanding his ownership, developing young horses, or even launching his own breeding operation.
Given his early success and strong connections in the racing world, Johnson has the potential to become a significant figure in the industry. His competitive mindset and willingness to learn suggest that his presence in horse racing is only going to grow in the coming years.
Maybe after retiring from professional football, he will have more time for his horse racing passion and we might end up seeing him at the big races.
