When Cody Dorman was diagnosed with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that limited his development and left him unable to walk or talk, his parents worried about the quality of life he would lead.

Leslie and Kelly were determined to help him live his best life, whatever that meant, despite times that were incredibly challenging. Many doctors did not expect Cody to survive beyond two years. He experienced frequent seizures. He required almost 50 operations, including open-heart surgery. He nearly went into shock when a blood vessel ruptured in his stomach. He fell into a depression after the death of a beloved grandfather.

Then a boy met a horse. Not only did Cody’s life dramatically change, but the recent establishment of the Cody Dorman Legacy Fund ensures that the lives of countless critically ill children will be forever changed by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Dormans at Santa Anita last year. (Anne M. Eberhardt/BloodHorse)

Dorman was 17 when he died last Nov. 5 in what was described as a “medical event” during the flight home from the West Coast. He had experienced yet another thrill of a lifetime the afternoon before. He and his family watched Cody’s Wish, the horse of his dreams, stage a breathtaking rally and successfully defend his title by a flaring nose in the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita Park, the final start of the 5-year-old’s magnificent career.

Kelly continues to wrestle with roiling emotions. “With the legacy he left and the impact he is still making, it’s an odd feeling,” the father said. “Your heart is full and empty at the same time.”

According to Faith Hacker, director of corporate engagement for Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, the impact of the late Dorman has been profound. Approximately a quarter of a million dollars has been raised in the boy’s honor.

“Cody loved horses and he loved Make-A-Wish,” Hacker said. “I think his legacy has inspired everyone to do exactly what Cody wished. Even before he passed, even before Cody and Cody’s Wish came on the national stage, he was already raising money for Make-A-Wish.”

Cody came to such prominence that an NBC Sports film crew trailed the happy couple when he took his therapist to his prom. His can-do attitude inspired so many physically challenged children and adults.

Related: Family Photos Look Back at Cody Dorman and His Love of Horse Racing

Make-A-Wish constantly emphasizes the widespread power of helping one child at a time. There could be no greater example than Cody. It was impossible not to be touched by his determination to handle everything that got in his way. And it all started with one of more than 21,000 granted wishes since the organization was founded in 1983.

“It shows the impact of what a wish does. A wish isn’t just about the wish child or the wish family,” Hacker said. “It actually is about everyone it touches.”

The establishment of the Cody Dorman Legacy Fund was announced Oct. 17 as part of Keeneland’s 17^th annual Make-A-Wish Day. It was immediately jump-started with $10,000 donations from Big Ass Fans, Godolphin and Breeders’ Cup Limited and quickly reached $65,000. Donations may be made at oki.wish.org//codyswish.   

In reflecting on Cody’s life, everything seemed to happen so fast.

In October 2018, Cody, his parents and his little sister, Kylie, left their home in Richmond, Ky., to visit Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Ky., through the efforts of Make-A-Wish and Keeneland Race Course’s annual commitment to that cause.

A visit before the 2023 Dirt Mile. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Farm manager Danny Mulvihill wanted Cody to see a foal up close, but he was concerned that the boy’s wheelchair might be frightening. Mulvihill knew he had to find just the right individual, one with a laid-back demeanor and a calm temperament. He chose an unnamed foal by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

The Godolphin homebred eyed Cody and inched closer. He began sniffing around him while onlookers stood transfixed. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, the foal buried his head in Cody’s lap in a magical moment.

The well-bred prospect would be named Cody’s Wish, and an almost mystical connection was made between boy and horse that captured national attention. With Cody often spending time with his namesake before races, their relationship made national headlines as Cody’s Wish started winning.

Cody’s Wish never failed to hit the board for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott while winning 11 of 16 starts and earning more than $3.1 million. His career culminated in 2023 in Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year and for champion older dirt male.

The Dorman family had been honored a few days before last year’s Breeders’ Cup. They were at the forefront of Team Cody’s Wish in receiving the Mr. Fitz Award from the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters for typifying the spirit of racing. 

Cody had wanted badly to make the journey to the West Coast to attend the Breeders’ Cup. It allowed him to see Cody’s Wish train and spend some quiet time with him at the barn two days before his thrilling Dirt Mile performance.

Cody was as excited as could be by the time the family returned to the hotel Saturday night. “He was doing good. There weren’t any red flags,” Kelly said. “Other than him being tired, there was nothing out of the ordinary, and we watched everything.”

According to Kelly, there still were no red flags en route to Atlanta during the opening leg of the long flight home.

“He just laid his head in Leslie’s lap and went to sleep and didn’t wake up,” the father said, content in knowing Cody had lived his best life.