ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA: The horse that won the 2023 Breeders Cup was named after Cody Dorman, who died tragically on Sunday, November 5. He was suffering from Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS), a genetic disorder that causes a plethora of symptoms including “delayed growth and development, intellectual disability, low muscle tone (hypotonia), and seizures,” per Rare Diseases.
The 17-year-old had witnessing his namesake horse, Cody’s Wish, win the Breeders’ Cup Final just a day before on Saturday, November 4.
According to a statement given by Dorman’s parents Kelly and Leslie Dorman, the 17-year-old died on Sunday because of his medical condition. The family was returning back to Kentucky after attending the race.
In the statement, released via the horse's owners Godolphin, the heartbroken parents announced his death while writing they “always knew this day would come.”
They wrote, "We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Cody suffered a medical event on our way home to Kentucky yesterday and he has passed away,” per Racing Post.
They, however, highlighted that Dorman witnessed his best friend win the race which gave him immense pleasure.
"Cody watched his best friend, Cody's Wish, display his usual perseverance and toughness to win a second Breeders' Cup. Those are the same characteristics that Cody has shown time and again during the 18 years we were blessed to have him,” said the parents.
Kelly and Leslie further added, "We have been completely amazed to experience the impact that Cody has had on so many people, through the journey that this wondrous racehorse has taken us all on.”
The proud parents celebrated their son’s life by saying, “From Churchill Downs to Keeneland, to Saratoga to Santa Anita this weekend, we could not move more than 20 feet without someone stopping to tell us just that."
The parents highlighted the silver lining, “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.”
“Anyone who has seen him at the racetrack, especially around Cody's Wish, understands that in many ways, he taught us how to live, always keeping a positive attitude and being more concerned by those around him than himself,” concluded the parents.
How was the horse named Cody’s Wish?
Dorman’s first meeting with the thoroughbred was when the horse was just a foal. The story of their bond is nothing short of a fairy tale.
Dorman, who was a wheelchair user, first met the horse during a Make-A-Wish visit to Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
The horse, Cody’s Wish was then just 5-month-old. Per The Associated Press, the animal walked over to Dorman’s wheelchair and put his head in Dorman’s lap. That simple gesture created a bond that lasted the teenager’s life.
The connection between the boy and the animal made Godolphin’s owners to name the horse after Dorman and the foal was christened "Cody’s Wish."
Cody’s Wish grew up to be one of the most talented thoroughbreds of the US and went on to register 11 of 16 career starts and over $3.1 million for the owners.
On Saturday, Cody’s Wish participated in his last race where he ended up defending his title by winning in the final strides of the Dirt Mile in the Breeders’ Cup.
Cody’s Wish is set to join stallion duties from the next season.
Cody’s Wish trainer Bill Mott says 'wishes do come true'
On Saturday, November 4, the trainer of Cody’s Wish, Bill Mott, spent time with the Dorman family which was published on the tournament’s social media channel.
After registering the win, he also summed up the connection between Dorman and Cody’s Wish and said, “It's a great story, an inspiration for a lot of people. To see what it has done for Cody Dorman and his family and a lot of people around him. Sometimes wishes do come true."
Dan Pride, for Godolphin posted on their social media commemorating Dorman’s death.
Pride wrote, “Over these past five years, the Godolphin family has been very fortunate to have met and become friends with the Dorman family: Cody, his parents Kelly and Leslie, and his sister Kylie."
He continued, “This heartfelt story has touched the hearts of many in and outside of the Thoroughbred industry.”
He also celebrated Dorman’s life and said, “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,” while ending the post with “Our hearts are with the Dorman family.”
