Cody Dorman was a boy from Kentucky with a rare genetic disorder, Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. He bonded with a young foal named in his honor, Cody’s Wish, which went on to win two consecutive Breeders’ Cup races.
- Died: November 5, 2023 (Who else died on November 5?)
- Details of death: Died of complications from Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome at the age of 17.
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Cody Dorman’s legacy
Dorman was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can cause seizures and severely impacts growth and development. During a 2018 Make-a-Wish visit to Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky, a 5-month-old weanling horse came to Cody and put its head in his lap. The pair bonded over the gentle moment, and the horse’s owners, Godolphin Racing, decided on the name Cody’s Wish, in Dorman’s honor.
Over the next few years, Cody watched as his namesake found great success on the track, winning 11 of 16 starts. The boy and his family often traveled to see the horse compete. Cody was on hand as Cody’s Wish won a second consecutive Breeders’ Cup race. It was the final race before Cody’s Wish retired from competition. Dorman passed away on the way home from the event.
Tributes to Cody Dorman
Full obituary: The New York Times
