Photo:

Alex Evers / Eclipse Sportswire

Cody Dorman’s family experienced one overwhelming emotion when they attended the Breeders’ Cup this past weekend at Del Mar. Gratitude.

That may sound strange since Cody’s parents, Leslie and Kelly, and his sister, Kylie, continue to grieve his death last Nov. 5. The 17-year-old, born with the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, died during the flight home to Kentucky from the West Coast.

The Dormans appreciate the much larger journey that allowed Cody to make an extraordinary connection with a Godolphin homebred foal that he met through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The foal, who cautiously approached the boy’s wheelchair before burying his head in the boy’s lap during their first meeting at Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Ky., became Cody’s Wish. The horse proved to be as special as their son.

The Dormans are grateful that Cody was able to be with them at Santa Anita to watch his namesake stage one of his patented rallies and successfully defend his title in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile to secure Horse of the Year honors. Most doctors had warned the family that Cody was not likely to live beyond the age of two. He underwent almost 50 operations to extend his life.

“He had every reason to give up a long time ago,” said Kelly, adding, “I think he picked his own terms and did it his way. He didn’t suffer. He didn’t cry. It was peaceful.”

According to Kelly, Cody, had been dozing on and off throughout the flight. He finally leaned against his mother and fell asleep, never to awaken.

Approximately $250,000 in donations have been made to Make-A-Wish in Cody’s honor, including $65,000 when the Cody Dorman Legacy Fund was announced by Keeneland on Oct. 10. The Foundation works tirelessly to grant the wishes of critically-ill children. More than 21,000 wishes have been granted since it was established in 1983.

The need for funding is incessant. Kelly said Cody, who was unable to talk but communicated through a tablet, once asked Santa Claus for money as his Christmas present. When Santa expressed surprise at that request when other children presented him with long lists of toys, Cody explained that he wanted to donate to Make-A-Wish.

When Kelly was asked how many wishes he would like to see granted through the Legacy Fund, he replied, “All of them. That’s got to be the ultimate goal. I can’t see any other way.”

The racing community has reached out to the Dorman family in a big way. Godolphin and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott allowed Cody fairly regular access to the horse, who never failed to recognize the boy. The Dormans were given box seats near the finish line this past weekend and were involved in the trophy presentation when Hronis Racing’s Full Serrano won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Kelly, a helicopter mechanic, said he had never flown before the story of Cody and Cody’s Wish came to national prominence. The family has developed strong bonds with people they would never have met.

“I don’t feel right saying Cody left us with a huge support group. He’s left us with a huge family,” Kelly said. “They’ve carried us through a lot of this.”

Faith Hacker, director of corporate engagement for Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, said Cody’s ability to inspire others who are challenged vividly illustrates the power of the concept.

“It shows the impact of what a wish does,” she said. “A wish isn’t just about the wish child or the wish family. It actually is about everybody it touches. I think Cody is a clear example of that.”

The family’s return to the Breeders’ Cup was filled with emotion. “We’ve done pretty well since we’ve been here,” Kelly said. “It creeps up on you a little bit, but the joy and pride you have in how he impacted people…those moments help us.”

Cody’s room at the family’s house in Richmond, Ky., has been left intact. It is filled with memorabilia that tells the story of a horse that could never be discounted no matter how far behind he fell and a courageous boy who spent 17 years beating the odds.