Statue celebrates bond between Cody Dorman, Cody's Wish

When Cody Dorman was diagnosed with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that would keep him from walking or talking, there was no reason to believe he would make any impact on the world around him. Many doctors believed he would not survive past the age of two.

Those same physicians had no way of knowing the infant’s inner strength and an unyielding spirit that was there for all to see after he met Cody’s Wish, a splendid horse named after him. The story of their extraordinary connection touched racing and non-racing fans alike, particularly those with physical challenges.

Although Dorman passed at age 17 on Nov. 5, 2023, the day after Cody’s Wish scored a thrilling triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile to secure Horse of the Year honors, officials at the Kentucky Horse Park are making sure he will inspire generations to come by erecting a monument that will be dedicated on Saturday at 9 a.m. EDT.

Kelly Dorman, Cody’s father, said his heart “is empty and full at the same time” as the ceremony nears. He explained, “We are so proud of everything he’s done and continues to do, and then there are some days it hits you like a ton of bricks. There are things you remember and see.”

Cody’s Wish, like his namesake who endured almost 50 operations, was celebrated for his ability to rally when all seemed lost. He is commemorated in bronze, a striking work by sculptor Jocelyn Russell. An engraved wall depicts the first meeting between what was then a weanling and Cody at Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Ky. The Godolphin homebred tentatively approached the wheelchair and sniffed around the boy for a minute before burying his head in the boy’s lap to the delight of onlookers.

The Dorman family was heavily involved in the creation of “The Bond: Two Hearts – One Spirit.” It is wheelchair accessible. One of the plaques contains braille, ensuring that the deep connection that lasted throughout the career of Cody’s Wish can be appreciated by all.

It means everything to Kelly, his wife Leslie and their daughter Kylie that Cody’s impact will be ever-lasting. “He had a lot of influence on a lot of people because of the way he handled adversity,” Kelly said. “He had to deal with a lot of it.”

Cody’s initial meeting with the horse that became Cody’s Wish was arranged through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Not long ago, the family of a teenager named Thomas, also born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, contacted the Dormans to see if they could bring their son from Chicago to Kentucky to visit the horse, now one of Godolphin’s many prized stallions. Arrangements were quickly made.

“Anything that can be done to help breathe new air, fresh life, into somebody’s world who is going through that, no matter how small or big it is, it is always special,” Kelly said.

The Dormans are heavily involved in supporting Make-A-Wish through the Cody Dorman Legacy Fund. Cody’s journey will be told through a book written by Paul Halloran that will be released next spring, “Cody’s Wish: A Boy, A Racehorse and a Fight for Life.” A film also is in the works.

Those undertakings have helped to ease some of their pain. Yet there are moments when grief overtakes them when they least expect it. That happened during a recent visit to a car wash.

“I came out of the car wash and was bawling my eyes out. We miss him like crazy every day,” Kelly said. “But in the same vein we are so proud of the things he’s continued to do, his legacy, and the inspiration that he left for so many.”

The Dormans make frequent visits to Cody’s Wish. He has grown particularly fond of Kylie, who just turned 12. She never fails to feed him treats.