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Cody's Wish
The heart-stirring true story of a champion racehorse, a courageous boy, and the wish that united them
Cody Dorman had already beaten the odds when, at age thirteen, he was introduced to a five-month-old Thoroughbred foal in 2018 through Make-A-Wish. Born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, Cody had undergone more than forty operations, including two open-heart surgeries before he was three. One doctor told his parents he wouldn’t live past his second birthday.
There was an instant connection between teenage Cody and the foal, one so impactful that the owners named the young racehorse Cody’s Wish. When Cody was severely depressed a few years later during the pandemic, another visit to see “his” horse snapped him out of it. Cody later traveled to racetracks around the country to watch Cody’s Wish run. Each time they met—in the paddock, on the backstretch, in the winner’s circle—the bond between the 1,100-pound racehorse and 70-pound boy was obvious. They would stare at each other, then the horse would walk toward Cody and put his head in his lap.
Cody saw Cody’s Wish win a Breeders’ Cup race at Keeneland in 2022 and was at Santa Anita in 2023 when the horse ended his career with a thrilling victory. The next day on the flight home, Cody fell asleep on his mother’s shoulder and did not wake up. While his death caused immeasurable sadness, those close to him were comforted by the fact that he was there for his horse right to the end.
This is a story of resilience, triumph, and love—of the inexplicable yet undeniable bond between a courageous boy and the champion racehorse he considered his best friend. And it is a story that is still ongoing, with a life-size monument at Kentucky Horse Park debuting in 2025 and the first crop of Cody's Wish foals heading to the yearling sales in 2026, to race as two-year-olds in 2027.
Cody Dorman had already beaten the odds when, at age thirteen, he was introduced to a five-month-old Thoroughbred foal in 2018 through Make-A-Wish. Born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, Cody had undergone more than forty operations, including two open-heart surgeries before he was three. One doctor told his parents he wouldn’t live past his second birthday.
There was an instant connection between teenage Cody and the foal, one so impactful that the owners named the young racehorse Cody’s Wish. When Cody was severely depressed a few years later during the pandemic, another visit to see “his” horse snapped him out of it. Cody later traveled to racetracks around the country to watch Cody’s Wish run. Each time they met—in the paddock, on the backstretch, in the winner’s circle—the bond between the 1,100-pound racehorse and 70-pound boy was obvious. They would stare at each other, then the horse would walk toward Cody and put his head in his lap.
Cody saw Cody’s Wish win a Breeders’ Cup race at Keeneland in 2022 and was at Santa Anita in 2023 when the horse ended his career with a thrilling victory. The next day on the flight home, Cody fell asleep on his mother’s shoulder and did not wake up. While his death caused immeasurable sadness, those close to him were comforted by the fact that he was there for his horse right to the end.
This is a story of resilience, triumph, and love—of the inexplicable yet undeniable bond between a courageous boy and the champion racehorse he considered his best friend. And it is a story that is still ongoing, with a life-size monument at Kentucky Horse Park debuting in 2025 and the first crop of Cody's Wish foals heading to the yearling sales in 2026, to race as two-year-olds in 2027.
208 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 7, 2026
What a wonderful story of a special boy and his relationship with a special thoroughbred who bears his name. Paul does a great job in detailing the relationship that started when the horse was a foal through his becoming “Horse of the Year”. A book of courage, hope, and resilience that has all the emotions entwined. If you have a special needs child, this book will speak to you in ways others don’t understand. If you are a horse fan, you will understand their connection immediately. If you need a palate cleanser this is your book! Also, all the races are on YouTube and there are many other clips as well that really bring the book to life.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
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July 4, 2026You probably do need to be a horse racing fan to pick up this book. But if you like stories about the human spirit triumphing, this is a good one. A rare ,and unbelievably cruel ailment, strikes this young man at birth. His parents have to draw on internal resources that they didn't know they had. But 2 things happen. #1 He is given a tablet with which to communicate. #2 he meets an animal with whom no tablet is needed. That connection and how it evolves is what the story is about. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy as you finish the book.
July 8, 2026
Heartbreaking, but so incredibly uplifting and inspirational at the exact same time. As a horse (my first love) girl and someone whose first job was deeply rooted in genetics (my second love), I thoroughly enjoyed a glimpse into this special boy's and special horse's lives. Hopefully I'll be able to see the statue in their honor at the KHP someday. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a bit more immersion into the story of Cody and Cody's Wish. Just make sure to bring your tissues.
June 9, 2026
Incredible read - Cody's Wish
For someone who had zero interest in the world of horse racing, this was an emotional read that I couldn't put down. Regardless if you are a fan of the sport or not, do not miss out on this story. Paul Halloran brings it to life and nails it.
For someone who had zero interest in the world of horse racing, this was an emotional read that I couldn't put down. Regardless if you are a fan of the sport or not, do not miss out on this story. Paul Halloran brings it to life and nails it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews