Teen with rare disorder's inspirational bond with racehorse to be made into movie

Cody’s Wish, who was named after Cody Dorman, a teenager who suffered from Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, won two Breeders' Cups, the last the day before his namesake passed away

The inspirational story of US champion racehorse Cody’s Wish and his bond with the teenager sufferer of a rare genetic disorder is to be made into a film.

Cody’s Wish was named after Cody Dorman, who suffered from the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome. His condition left him unable to walk or talk and he could only communicate through a tablet.

They first met in 2018 when Dorman was offered a tour of Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm as part of Keeneland’s Make-A-Wish Day. During the visit, an inquisitive six-month-old foal walked over and put his head in the boy’s lap and from that moment was given the name Cody’s Wish.

Put into training with Bill Mott, Cody’s Wish went on to establish himself as the best horse in the United States, winning nearly £2.5 million in earnings, with Dorman and his family present at the track for nearly all of his victories.

They included the 2023 Breeders' Cup where Cody's Wish won the Dirt Mile for the second time. Sadly Dorman died on the way home from Santa Anita in California to Kentucky.

Now the makers of the hit Netflix basketball drama, The Hill, have announced the launch of a new production company focussing on "true, inspiring and uplifting stories" and its first project would be a film about Cody's Wish.

The Hill's director Jeff Celentano and co-producer Warren Ostergard, who have formed Enliven Content, believe there is an audience for stories which the whole family can enjoy.

“Enliven Content was founded to bring true, heartfelt stories to life, and we’re honoured to have Cody’s Wish as our first original movie. This film will touch hearts around the world," said Ostergard

Celentano said: "The extraordinary bond shared between Cody's Wish and Cody Dorman transcends racing, transcends sport, and bears witness to something truly magic.

"Our company is dedicated to creating content that leaves its audience inspired, hopeful, and alive, and this story will do just that. It's a beautiful story and we've absolutely honoured to tell it."

Cody's Wish retired after last year's Breeders' Cup victory when Dorman's father Kelly said: “In a lot of ways, I think that horse probably saved Cody's life. I know him and the horse has made a lot of lives better.

"The people that we've got to meet during this process -- first and foremost, the blessing is today Cody's Wish put his head in Cody's lap. The next blessing is all the people we got to meet, like these guys sitting right here, the fans, the entire horse racing nation has been incredible to us. We're so thankful and grateful for that.”

He was not surprised that a movie is in development. “As the story of Cody’s Wish grew, everyone we told about it would say, ‘this will be a movie some day’," he said

“We’re incredibly grateful to Enliven Content for agreeing to share the remarkable connection between our son Cody and his best friend Cody’s Wish.”