![](\"https:\/\/www.the-sun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/cody-dorman-right-sits-alongside-857282244.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.the-sun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/cody-dorman-center-right-sits-857241574.jpg\")
\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.the-sun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/Capture.png\")
<\/p>\nHORSE racing has been plunged into mourning after the devastating death of Cody Dorman.<\/p>\n
The 17-year-old, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder, passed away a day after watching the horse named after him win his final race.<\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
In a heartbreaking statement, Cody's parents confirmed their beloved son tragically died on the way back from the Breeders' Cup in California.<\/p>\n
Kelly and Leslie Dorman wrote: "We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Cody suffered a medical event on our trip home to Kentucky and he has passed away.<\/p>\n
"On Saturday, Cody watched his best friend, Cody's Wish, display his usual perseverance and toughness in winning a second Breeders' Cup.<\/p>\n
"Those are the same characteristics Cody has showed time and again for the 18 years we were blessed to have him.<\/p>\n
"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.<\/p>\n
"From Churchill Downs to Keeneland, to Saratoga to Santa Anita this weekend, we could not move 20ft without someone stopping to tell us just that.<\/p>\n
"With Cody's diagnosis at birth, we always knew this day would com, but we were determined to help Cody live his best life for however long we had him.<\/p>\n
"Anyone who has seen him at the racetrack, especially around Cody's Wish, understands that in many ways he taught us all how to live, always keeping a positive attitude and being more concerned about those around him than himself."<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The amazing bond that Cody and the five-year-old wonderhorse named in his honour is the stuff of Hollywood fairytales.<\/p>\n Cody was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a genetic disorder that robs a person of their ability to walk or speak.<\/p>\n Brave Cody communicated with those around him by using a tablet.<\/p>\n Five years ago, his life changed while on a Make-A-Wish trip to Godolphin\u2019s Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky.<\/p>\n There, while being shown the horses, he met an unnamed foal with whom he immediately built a connection.<\/p>\n As soon as Cody and the foal met they formed a bond that left everyone there awestruck.<\/p>\n Danny Mulvihill, farm manager at Gainsborough, relived the encounter to the LA Times.<\/p>\n He said: "The foal just came out and took a look at the wheelchair and Cody, and took a second look and inched closer and never gave us a cause for concern.<\/p>\n "And he just kept inching closer until his nose was right there.<\/p>\n "He was nuzzling Cody\u2019s hand and then his head went into Cody\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n "Every part of this story has come together and fallen into place from the word go and could have gone several different directions at any one time.<\/p>\n "But for everything to keep lining up and ending up where it has now, you cannot script that.<\/p>\n "You cannot write this kind of stuff."<\/p>\n Cody's Wish won 11 of his 16 races and earned more $3million in prize money.<\/p>\n Before every race viewers were reminded of their heartwarming bond.<\/p>\n There were tears at Santa Anita last Saturday, with Cody's dad breaking down on live TV.<\/p>\n Pointing to the sky as he tried to find the words to sum up how he was feeling, he said: "It's come from up there. All of it."<\/p>\n A statement from the Breeders' Cup read: "The entire Breeders\u2019 Cup team is devastated by the news of Cody Dorman\u2019s passing yesterday.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/itv-plc-reproduced-editorial-purposes-810653868.jpg\")
<\/picture>NOT LONG NOW <\/span><\/p>\nI’m A Celebrity 2023 start date revealed – and it’s just DAYS away<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/calculate-much-cost-spending-credit-754308794.jpg\")
<\/picture>CRACKING DOWN <\/span><\/p>\nBrits on benefits will have their bank accounts checked every MONTH<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/download-8.jpg\")
<\/picture>SENDING LOVE <\/span><\/p>\nLorraine mourns ‘saddest news’ as ITV colleague dies months after giving birth<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-24640057-1699214231612.jpg\")
<\/picture>STRICT EXIT <\/span><\/p>\nStrictly shock as favourite is axed & Claudia brands dance-off ‘closest ever’<\/h3>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/sb-mum-051123.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-24637386-1699187340252.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.the-sun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2023\/11\/2023-junior-alvarado-rider-codys-857256827.jpg\")