Cody Dorman passes away at 17
The horse racing community and millions of others around the world inspired by Cody Dorman are in mourning after the 17-year-old passed away over the weekend.
“He was so happy to get to see Cody’s Wish run his last race,” his father, Kelly Dorman, said Monday morning.
Cody Dorman died after suffering a medical event while heading home from the Breeders’ Cup in Santa Anita, where he watched Cody’s Wish, a 5-year-old thoroughbred, win the Dirt Mile for the second straight year.
“This heartfelt story has touched the hearts of many in and outside of the thoroughbred industry,” said Dan Pride, COO at Godolphin. “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.”
In 2018, the Dormans participated in a Make-A-Wish at a Kentucky farm, where a foal came up to Cody Dorman. That was Cody’s Wish, who laid his head on Cody Dorman’s lap, and a bond was born.
“He left on top of the world doing what he loved and in his mother’s arms,” Kelly Dorman said.
The story of a boy and a horse captured the hearts and minds of horse racing fans and beyond over the last five years, whether it was at Santa Anita Park, Keenland or the Saratoga Race Course this summer.
Cody’s Wish entered the 96th running of the Whitney Stakes in August with Cody Dorman in attendance. The thoroughbred ended up finishing third, but the pair continued to create new memories together.
It was incredible to see the connection between a thoroughbred and a teen born with a rare genetic disorder that left him unable to walk and communicate without using a tablet. But Cody Dorman defied all odds.
“Somehow, I think he knew he was ready. He woke us up at 2:32 a.m. the morning of the race just so he could thank us all for taking him there to watch his horse,” Kelly Dorman said. “I told him that all the thanks deserves to go to him.”
Cody Dorman is survived by his parents, Kelly and Leslie Dorman, and sister, Kylie.
Saturday's race was Cody's Wish's last, as the 5-year-old will be retired.
