Breeders' Cup Horse Named After Sick Child Wins Race Day Before Boy Dies

Every year, the Breeders' Cup brings together equestrian fans from around the country as they watch Thoroughbred horses compete in exhilarating races. At this year's Breeders' Cup, one racing fan had his dreams come true just hours before he died.

Cody Dorman and his family traveled to Los Angeles over the weekend to watch the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile race and celebrate Dorman's 18^th birthday a month early. They specifically traveled to watch one horse in particular named Cody's Wish. Dorman was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic condition that left him using a wheelchair, and he was initially given just two years to live. It was Cody's Wish's last race before retiring, and the horse squeaked out one last win before the end of his career.

The victory ended up being especially sweet for Dorman. The 17-year-old died the day after Cody's Wish won, meaning the horse's triumphant final race was one of the last things he saw.

"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,” the Dorman family said in a statement, per NBC Sports. "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," the statement concluded.

Dorman first met the horse back in 2018 as part of a Make-a-Wish visit. The five-month-old animal approached Dorman in his wheelchair and put his head in Dorman's lap in a touching display of affection. Godolphin, the horse-racing stable who owned it, decided to name the horse after Dorman.

“I think that horse probably saved Cody’s life in a lot of ways," his mother Kelly Dorman said after the race, per The Associated Press. “I know him and the horse have made a lot of lives better.”

Godolphin chief operating officer Dan Pride shared his condolences with the Dorman family and celebrated the remarkable life that Cody lived and the relationship he had with his beloved horse.

“This heartfelt story has touched the hearts of many in and outside of the Thoroughbred industry,” Pride said. “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."

Both Dorman and Cody's Wish can rest easy knowing their story inspired and warmed the hearts of countless people around the world.