THE story of champion racehorse Cody’s Wish and the boy who loved him but died a day after his greatest win is to be made into a film.
The bond between dual Breeders’ Cup hero Cody’s Wish and his namesake Cody Dorman captured the hearts of racing fans around the world.
Dorman, who was born with the rare genetic condition Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and confined to a wheelchair, struck up an immediate friendship with the horse when he and his family visited his home at Gainsborough Farm Stud in Kentucky, US.
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Cody’s Wish was unnamed and still a foal when he walked over to the young boy and placed his head in his lap.
The horse would go onto become a superstar, winning the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile twice and notching five Group 1 victories in all.
It was tragically the day after Cody’s Wish’s final win in November last year that Dorman passed away aged 17.
Now the tale of their incredible bond is to hit the silver screen.
Casting is set to begin in the coming months after Netflix film director Jeff Celentano and producer Warren Ostergard agreed to the project.
Cody’s father Kelly said: “As the story of Cody’s Wish grew, everyone we told about it would say, ‘this will be a movie someday’.
“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.”
While Ostergard added: “The success of The Hill showed us how millions of people are yearning for films 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.”
Cody was at Santa Anita racecourse to see Cody’s Wish’s last ever win last year.
It was during the journey home from California to Kentucky that he passed.
The racing world was plunged into mourning and his parents Kelly and Leslie wrote in a statement: “We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Cody suffered a medical event on our trip home to Kentucky and he has passed away.
“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.
“We have been completely amazed to experience the impact Cody has had on so many people, through the journey that this wondrous racehorse has taken us all on.
“From Churchill Downs to Keeneland, to Saratoga to Santa Anita this weekend, we could not move 20ft without someone stopping to tell us just that.
“With Cody’s diagnosis at birth, we always knew this day would come, but we were determined to help Cody live his best life for however long we had him.
“Anyone who has seen him at the racetrack, especially around Cody’s Wish, understands that in many ways he taught us all how to live, always keeping a positive attitude and being more concerned about those around him than himself.”
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