Revisit the storybook tale of Cody’s Wish and his inspiration

Kelly Dorman always has felt that a higher power is responsible for the heart-warming connection between Cody’s Wish and his son, Cody, the horse’s namesake. He is not alone in that belief.

When Cody visited Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Ky., as part of Keeneland’s Make-A-Wish Day, farm manager Danny Mulvihill made a fortuitous choice when it came time to decide which foal should interact with Cody.

Cody was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects many body parts. He is unable to speak or walk and relies on a tablet to communicate. Mulvihill knew it was important to choose a foal least likely to be skittish around Cody’s wheelchair. He opted for a son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin who had not been named.

The foal eyed Cody and his wheelchair and began to inch closer to him. He sniffed around for a bit before burying his head in the lap of the delighted teenager. It was one of the best moments in a life fraught with challenges, from frequent seizures to multiple surgeries.

Mary Bourne, Godolphin’s office manager, was so touched by the power of that instant connection that she asked upper management to allow her to break the rules. Godolphin does not name its horses after people. But she received permission to name the foal Cody’s Wish.

One of racing’s heartwarming stories developed from there.

Cody’s Wish, trained by ever-patient Hall of Famer Bill Mott, was unraced at 2. Cody, who lives in Richmond, Ky., correctly predicted the horse would not break his maiden until he was able to attend the race. Sure enough, Cody watched from the winner’s circle on Oct. 2, 2021 as Cody’s Wish prevailed after three successive third-place finishes to open his career.

That triumph launched a torrid stretch that brought seven wins in eight races. It culminated in consecutive Grade 1 triumphs, in the Aug. 27 Forego this summer at Saratoga and the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland.

With the Dorman family watching trackside, Cody’s Wish launched a long and dramatic rally for jockey Junior Alvarado in the Dirt Mile to outfight hard-hitting Cyberknife by a determined head.

Cody, now 16, shed tears of joy. So did everyone around him as the crowd roared in approval of the storybook finish. Kelly still struggles to describe the emotions of that sweet moment for him, his wife Leslie, their daughter Kylie and Cody.

He finally said, “It was like getting struck by lightning. It kind of just took our breath away.”

Racing fans and casual viewers felt the same way. Cody’s Wish received the Vox Populi Award for carving out a season that resonated most with the public. If ever there was a no-brainer for the award established by Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner, this was it.

The last-to-first rally by Cody’s Wish in the Dirt Mile was unforgettable.

“The horse runs his races kind of the way Cody has lived his life,” said Kelly. “He kind of gets himself in a pickle and gets himself worked out of it.”

The father estimates that Cody has undergone between 40 and 50 surgeries, including two open-heart operations. The youngster has survived on several occasions after doctors had lost hope.

Kelly said of the Make-A-Wish program and its ability to grant wishes to critically ill children: “It gives these kids the type of medicine that can’t be written on a prescription pad.”

Cody’s Wish has been something of a game-changer for Cody. According to Kelly, Cody is doing better mentally and physically. He is making greater strides in his therapy and his school work.

The captivating tale also has brought welcome attention to the work done by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“It has strengthened our Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland and our relationship within the horse community,” said Faith Hacker, senior advancement officer for the Foundation in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. “It’s the most heartwarming and impactful wish we’ve had in a long time.”

The tale took yet another wonderful turn when Godolphin decided to campaign Cody’s Wish, an earner of more than $1.3 million, as a 5-year-old. “We think there is still plenty to prove for him,” said Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin USA.

Banahan said the Met Mile (G1) and a return to the Breeders’ Cup will be primary targets for a horse who already has accomplished everything Cody could have wished for. And more.