Cody's Wish & Team Godolphin - 2023 Musial Awards

Cody Dorman was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects many parts of his body. He cannot speak, he is confined to a wheelchair, suffers frequent seizures, and has other lifelong difficulties. Doctors told the Dormans that Cody might live for two years, but he is now 17. In 2018, Cody visited Godolphin Racing’s Gainsborough Farm as a participant in an annual Make-A-Wish Day. A six-month-old foal walked up to Cody’s wheelchair and laid his head in Cody’s lap, an instance which had never happened before in several previous Make-A-Wish visits to the farm. The moment tugged at the heart strings of the Godolphin staff, especially office manager Mary Bourne who suggested the then-unnamed foal be called Cody’s Wish. A couple years later, when Cody was going through a tough time, his family suggested he make a return visit. Even after two years, as soon as Cody returned to Gainsborough Farm, Cody’s Wish locked eyes with him, walked up to him and rubbed noses. From that point on, Team Godolphin made sure Cody was a part of their team – always welcome to visit the farm and take part in race day activities at the track. The result: horse and human have inspired and uplifted each other through a powerful, unbreakable bond. In 2021, Cody’s Wish began his racing career with three third place finishes, but a pre-race visit from Cody before the horse’s fourth race spurred him to his first career victory. And Cody’s Wish has continued to excel on the track – winning the Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile and Churchill Down Stakes, with Cody in attendance. Since 2005, the nation’s best sports have come together in St. Louis for the Musial Awards, the most inspiring night in sports. Named for baseball hall of famer Stan Musial, the Musial Awards honor the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship and the biggest names in sports who embody class and character. Visit MusialAwards.com to learn more. #MusialAwards #viralmoment #sportsmanship #sportsmoments #horseracing #CodysWish #makeawish #breederscup