Reprinted from Thooughbred Daily Times

 

By Bill Finley

Cody Dornan and trainer Bill Mott (Photo by Benoit)Cody Dorman, the inspirational teen who was suffering with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and whose love affair with the two-time GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wis,h by Curlin, warmed the hearts of everyone in the sport of horse racing, died Sunday while en-route from Santa Anita to his home in Kentucky.

The news was released by Godolphin on Monday morning in the form of an announcement from his parents, Kelly and Leslie Dorman.

The announcement read:

“We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Cody suffered a medical event on our trip home to Kentucky yesterday and he has passed away.

On Saturday, Cody watched his best friend, Cody's Wish, display his usual perseverance and toughness in winning a second Breeders' Cup.

Those are the same characteristics Cody has showed time and again for the 18 years we were blessed to have him.

We have been completely amazed to experience the impact Cody has had on so many people, through the journey that this wondrous racehorse has taken us all on.

From Churchill Downs, to Keeneland, to Saratoga, to Santa Anita this weekend, we could not move 20 feet without someone stopping to tell us just that.

“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 all how to live, always keeping a positive attitude and being more concerned about those around him than himself.”

 

FOLLOWING the news of Dorman's death, the Breeders' Cup issue the following statement:

“The entire Breeders' Cup team is devastated by the news of Cody Dorman's passing yesterday.

His story captured our hearts and minds, and his strength, spirit, and determination were fittingly embodied by his namesake's commanding performances in his honor.

We send our sincere condolences to the Dormans, who gave our sport so much by welcoming us into their family.”

As a young teenager, Dorman and his family visited Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky thanks to Keeneland and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Despite being in a wheelchair, Cody's Wish – at the time an unnamed foal – sniffed the boy and put his head in his lap, forming a bond between the horse and the boy that would last throughout the colt's career, which ended Saturday with his second Breeders' Cup win.

Dorman and his family were able see a number of the 5-year-old's 16 career races in Kentucky, New York and California and were in the winner's circle for both Breeders' Cup victories.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations be made to Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana.

Funeral arrangements are pending.