In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Cody Dorman, the young man whose namesake inspired the victorious racehorse “Cody’s Wish” at the recent Breeders’ Cup, tragically passed away at the tender age of 17.
The sad news was confirmed by the Associated Press, reporting that Cody suffered a severe “medical event” during his family’s journey back from Santa Anita to their home in Kentucky just last week.
Cody Dorman’s life was marked by resilience and courage in the face of adversity. Born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic condition characterized by delayed growth and development, intellectual disability, low muscle tone, and seizures, Cody’s journey was anything but ordinary. Despite the challenges, his parents, Kelly and Leslie Dorman, remained unwavering in their commitment to provide him with the best possible life.
“With Cody’s diagnosis at birth, we always knew this day would come, but we were determined to help Cody live his best life for however long we had him,” the grieving parents expressed in a heartfelt statement.
Cody’s remarkable connection with “Cody’s Wish” dates back to 2018 when he first encountered the five-month-old horse during a Make-A-Wish event at Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Lexington. The touching moment occurred when the horse approached Cody’s wheelchair and tenderly rested its head on his lap, forging a deep bond that would endure throughout Cody Dorman’s life.
In a tribute to their special friendship, the horse was aptly christened “Cody’s Wish” in honor of the young man. “Cody’s Wish” went on to achieve remarkable success on the racetrack, winning an impressive 11 out of 16 races, including the recent triumph in the $1 million Dirt Mile at the Breeders’ Cup.
Dan Pride, Chief Operating Officer of Godolphin, shared his sentiments, stating, “This heartfelt story has touched the hearts of many in and outside of the Thoroughbred industry. And while Cody’s passing has saddened us, we find comfort in knowing that Cody found many joyous moments during this journey with his best friend, Cody’s Wish. Our hearts are with the Dorman family.”
Cody Dorman watched Cody’s Wish win his last race Saturday. Afterward, Cody’s dad, Kelly, said, “In a lot of ways, I think that horse probably saved Cody’s life.”
Cody passed away Sunday at age 17.
If you have words for this, you are better than me.
— Tim Layden (@ByTimLayden) November 6, 2023
Last week, Cody Dorman received the prestigious Mr. Fitz Award, presented by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. The award is given to an individual who best embodies the spirit of horse racing, and Cody’s enduring spirit and the remarkable bond he shared with “Cody’s Wish” made him a worthy recipient.
Such a beautiful moment between Cody, his father Kelly, and trainer Bill Mott ahead of the #BreedersCup Dirt Mile featuring current favorite, Cody’s Wish. pic.twitter.com/he33bNYJa4
— Breeders’ Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023
Cody Dorman’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the profound connections that can be forged between humans and animals, transcending the boundaries of illness and adversity. His memory will continue to inspire and touch the hearts of many within the racing community and beyond.