Breeders Cup winner Cody's Wish reduced racing fans to tears for his incredible bond with a teenager battling a rare genetic disorder.
The Dirt Mile hero was named after 16-year-old Cody Dorman when the pair met on a special farm tour. As a young foal, Cody's Wish walked up and placed his head on the young boy's lap.
Cody, at Keeneland with family where the namesake horse won just over £385,000, suffers from Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome. Days before the race, the thoroughbred lowered his head gently towards the teenager, sitting in his wheelchair.
Racing supporters were touched by their endearing partnership, as Cody's Wish (43-20f) secured a big victory with a narrow verdict over Cyberknife.
One person wrote on social media: "Finally had time to rewind the NBC broadcast to see Cody Dorman and Cody's Wish's story...annnnd now we're crying in the middle of a hotel lobby. When the announcers got choked up...omg............and the FAMILY omg....Thank you Cody's Wish. Best story EVER."
Another added: "Congratulations on Cody’s wish. I’ve needed a good cry and this is awesome. Perfect story." And a third person posted: "Incredibly touching story and a fabulous victory for Cody's Wish."
Cody met the four-year-old horse as part of a Make-A-Wish trip to Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm. The global operation's Michael Banahan said it is "unbelievable" that the miler remembers Cody each time he sees him.
Cody's Wish helped jockey Junior Alvarado open his Breeders Cup account, while it was an 11th victory at the prestigious fixture for Bill Mott. Making it four wins on the trot, the son of Curlin stayed on grittily to challenge and poked his head in front in the final 60 yards of the Grade 1.
"The first time I got to meet Cody was at Churchill when I won on him and as I was going into the winner's circle, all he wanted to do was go to where Cody was – it's an unbelievable bond they have," Alvarado said.
