By R. David Shew
Sometimes in life, you are where you are supposed to be. Being a thoroughbred lover, this morning at the Kentucky Horse Park was a special moment in my life. Kelly, Leslie, and Kylie Dorman along with sculptor, Jocelyn Russell, gathered together with the Darley family and unveiled the Cody’s Wish monument.
Kelly Dorman, the father of Cody Dorman, delivered an emotional speech that had the guests laughing at times and shedding a tear at other moments. Kelly pointed out that Jocelyn’s bronze image of Cody’s Wish “captured the horse’s heart.”
Carson Jost, from Seattle, was the first person to touch the nose of the statue. Carson, like Cody Dorman, was born with the same rare genetic disorder that took Cody’s life. Cody suffered from Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome for 17 years and never once complained.
The statue is wheelchair friendly. People in wheelchairs can role under the statue which is across from the Hall of Champions in the Kentucky Horse Park. Jocelyn Russell said, “the setting is absolutely amazing.”
Seven years to the day, October 11, that Cody Dorman met Cody’s Wish at Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm, and the brilliant statue was unveiled this morning. It’s like the heavens were looking down at the Kentucky Horse Park with their “thank you” blessings.
Cody Dorman survived multiple surgeries during his 17 years. Cody’s Wish and Cody Dorman shared the same heart and soul of a warrior.
Cody’s Wish started his racing career in 2021 with three third place finishes, and then Cody Dorman came to Churchill Downs in October where Cody’s Wish won his first of 11 races. Career highlights were winning the Met Mile at Belmont, the Forego Stakes at Saratoga, and back-to-back Breeder’s Cup Mile races at Keeneland in 2022 and Santa Anita in 2023.
Cody’s Wish and Cody Dorman go in the racing journals as winners. Oh yeah, Cody’s Wish was the Horse of the Year in 2023.
Cody Dorman has been quoted as saying “Cody’s Wish makes me smile.” Cody wanted to give back too. The “power of a wish” exemplifies Cody Dorman’s life.
Kelly Dorman thanked everyone for coming to the dedication and was quoted as saying “this is my moment to say thank you.” Kelly played Cody’s tablet and the crowd heard Cody saying “thank you”, “thank you”, and “thank you”.
