Cody Dorman, whose bond with namesake Thoroughbred Cody's Wish captured the hearts of the racing world, died Sunday, shortly after watching trackside at Santa Anita as his “best friend” scored a second consecutive victory in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Dorman, who was 17, was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Patients typically do not live beyond early childhood.  “We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Cody suffered a medical event on our trip home to Kentucky yesterday and he has passed away,” parents Kelly and Leslie Dorman said in a statement issued Monday morning via Godolphin, which bred and owns Cody's Wish. “On Saturday, Cody watched his best friend, Cody’s Wish, display his usual perseverance and toughness in winning a second Breeders’ Cup. Those are the same characteristics Cody has showed time and again for the 18 years we were blessed to have him.” Cody Dorman first met Cody’s Wish, then an unnamed foal at Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky, while visiting the farm during Keeneland’s Make-A-Wish Day in the fall of 2018. The foal approached Dorman of his own accord and laid his head on the boy’s lap in his wheelchair. To the marvel of many, the horse would maintain that gentle disposition and bond with the teenager every time they encountered one another in the coming years, despite growing to adulthood and becoming a strong-willed, top-level racehorse.  Godolphin named the horse Cody’s Wish, and that outfit and trainer Bill Mott embraced the Dorman family, and they were on hand for some of the horse’s biggest scores, including last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland and this spring’s Churchill Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard. They also made other memories, such as celebrating Cody’s birthday with the horse on the Churchill backstretch.  “Over these past five years, the Godolphin family has been has been very fortunate to have met and become friends with the Dorman family: Cody, his parents Kelly and Leslie, and his sister Kylie,” Dan Pride, chief operating officer of Godolphin USA, said in a statement. “This heartfelt story has touched the hearts of many in and outside of the Thoroughbred industry. And while Cody’s passing has saddened us, we find comfort in knowing that Cody found many joyous moments during this journey with his best friend, Cody’s Wish. Our hearts are with the Dorman family.” The Dormans traveled from their Kentucky home to California last week to be on hand for the lead-up to the Breeders’ Cup, where Cody’s Wish was to make his final start before retiring to stud in Kentucky. On Nov. 1, the Dorman family, as part of Team Cody’s Wish, was honored by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters at its annual awards dinner with the Mr. Fitz Award, for typifying the spirit of racing. Speaking at the dinner with the assistance of a tablet he used to communicate, Cody Dorman said, “Thank you NTWAB. I’m so happy that you thought of Team Cody’s Wish. I love everyone on the team with all my heart. They all worked hard to see my wish and their wishes come true.” Three days later, the Dormans were part of the winner’s circle celebration as Cody’s Wish concluded his career with a nose victory in the Dirt Mile over Preakness Stakes winner National Treasure.  “In a lot of ways, I think that horse probably saved Cody’s life,” Kelly Dorman said in the post-race press conference. “I know him and the horse have made a lot of lives better.” Mott had embraced the story of the bond between the horse and Dorman. “It was great for him while he lasted,” Mott said. “It made his life better.” In addition to his parents, Kelly and Leslie, Dorman is survived by a younger sister, Kylie.  Funeral arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, the Dorman family has asked for donations to Make-A-Wish’s Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana chapter.  – additional reporting by David Grening