Current:Home > ContactCody Dorman, who watched namesake horse win Breeders’ Cup race, dies on trip home -GrowthInsight
Cody Dorman, who watched namesake horse win Breeders’ Cup race, dies on trip home
View
Date:2025-04-15 17:46:49
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cody Dorman, the teenager who watched his namesake horse Cody’s Wish win at the Breeders’ Cup, has died. He was 17.
Dorman died Sunday after suffering a “medical event” on the family’s way home to Kentucky after attending the world championships at Santa Anita last week, according to a statement from his parents posted Monday on Godolphin Racing’s social media account.
Dorman was born with the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, and the effects include delayed growth and development, intellectual disability, low muscle tone and seizures. He used a wheelchair.
“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,” the boy’s parents, Kelly and Leslie Dorman, wrote.
Dorman first met the horse during a Make-A-Wish visit to Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, when Cody’s Wish was a 5-month-old weanling in 2018. The animal walked over to Dorman’s wheelchair and put his head in the boy’s lap, creating such a connection that Godolphin decided a year later to name the horse after Dorman.
“I think that horse probably saved Cody’s life in a lot of ways,” Kelly Dorman said Saturday. “I know him and the horse have made a lot of lives better.”
Cody’s Wish won his final race Saturday in the $1 million Dirt Mile, rallying from last and surviving a stewards’ inquiry to defend his title over Preakness winner National Treasure.
Cody Dorman was waiting in the winner’s circle, as if he already knew what the outcome would be.
The victory ensured a storybook ending for Cody’s Wish in his final race before retirement. He won 11 of 16 career starts, including eight in stakes races, and over $3.1 million in earnings for owner Godolphin.
“This heartfelt story has touched the hearts of many in and outside of the Thoroughbred industry,” Dan Pride, chief operating officer of Godolphin, said in a statement. “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. Our hearts are with the Dorman family.”
Dorman and his family were on hand to receive the Mr. Fitz Award from the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters at the group’s annual dinner last week. The award is for a person who typifies the spirit of racing.
Besides his parents, Dorman is survived by his sister Kylie.
veryGood! (642)
Related
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- How seniors could lose in the Medicare political wars
- The science that spawned fungal fears in HBO's 'The Last of Us'
- An Obscure Issue Four Years Ago, Climate Emerged as a Top Concern in New Hampshire
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Houston Lures Clean Energy Companies Seeking New Home Base
- Houston Lures Clean Energy Companies Seeking New Home Base
- We asked for wishes, you answered: Send leaders into space, free electricity, dignity
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Himalayan Glaciers on Pace for Catastrophic Meltdown This Century, Report Warns
Ranking
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Climate Change Is Cutting Into the Global Fish Catch, and It’s on Pace to Get Worse
- All major social media platforms fail LGBTQ+ people — but Twitter is the worst, says GLAAD
- Lasers, robots, and tiny electrodes are transforming treatment of severe epilepsy
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Lasers, robots, and tiny electrodes are transforming treatment of severe epilepsy
- Taylor Lautner “Praying” for John Mayer Ahead of Taylor Swift’s Speak Now Re-Release
- Brian 'Thee beast' fights his way to Kenyan gaming domination!
Recommendation
What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
See RHOBH's Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton's Sweet Family Reunion Amid Ongoing Feud
Global Shipping Inches Forward on Heavy Fuel Oil Ban in Arctic
Why Arnold Schwarzenegger Thinks He and Maria Shriver Deserve an Oscar for Their Divorce
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
New childhood obesity guidance raises worries over the risk of eating disorders
SoCal Gas’ Settlement Over Aliso Canyon Methane Leak Includes Health Study
News Round Up: FDA chocolate assessment, a powerful solar storm and fly pheromones