“These two just had some type of language they used to communicate with each other. You couldn’t hear it, but you could see it, and you certainly could feel it. Their bond was pretty amazing.” - Kelly Dorman, Cody's Dad
One of horse racing’s most inspiring stories involves the almost mystical connection between the 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish, and his namesake, Cody Dorman, a young man who was born with a rare genetic disorder, Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, that confined him to a life in a wheelchair, unable to walk or communicate except through a tablet.
"The Bond: Two Hearts - One Spirit" is a Monument by artist Jocelyn Russell that celebrates this very special connection between Cody Dorman and this very special horse, Cody's Wish. When Cody’s Wish placed his head into the lap of Cody Dorman - not once, but every time they met - it lit a fire in both of their hearts. With this monument, we want everyone to be inspired and to experience that same feeling and connection.
The monument will allow people in wheelchairs to roll up and place their hand on the horse's nose, looking into the eyes of this remarkable animal and experiencing the same feeling of connection that Cody and Cody's Wish shared. On the wall behind them they will emulate the iconic picture of Cody Dorman and Cody’s Wish. Others who are not in wheelchairs will also be able to feel the spirit of The Bond as they stand alongside or in front of the bronze monument and touch the nose and look into the eyes of this beautiful horse. (Please see Jocelyn’s other magnificent work at www.wildlifebronzes.com.)
LOCATION:
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY: We are placing Monument #1/5-8 (Edition # to be decided by completion in bronze) of ‘The Bond: Two Hearts - One Spirit’ at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) in Lexington, KY. The KHP welcomes over one million visitors a year, and is the home of the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, an organization that is dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and the health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with the horse.
The specific site will be alongside Champion Drive and up from the Big Barn and Big Barn Road, in a beautiful grassy area across the street from the Event Stabling barns and paddock near the Hall of Champions. The trolley goes by several times a day and this monument will be not only part of the tour, but a destination site at the Park.
MONUMENT DESIGN:
Monument Design & Materials: Cody’s Wish is made of bronze. He will be life-size and stand almost 17 hands high. He will stand flat on the ground.
Two Etched Granite Walls: Two black granite walls will be featured in the Plaza (approximately 4.6’x 5’, 4.6’x6’). The image wall will have a life-size etching of Cody Dorman and Cody’s Wish’s iconic photo of Cody’s Wish placing his nose into Cody Dorman’s lap. On the backside facing the street will be the title, “The Bond, Two Hearts - One Spirit.”
The other wall will tell the story of their bond. Also on this wall will be the Sponsors & Donors who made the monument possible. On the backside of this wall will list the amazing accomplishments of this incredible Thoroughbred, as well as tell the story of the importance of the diamond shape - from the diamond on Cody’s Wish’s forehead, to Bill Mott’s insignia, and the importance it held for Cody Dorman in his young life.
Plaza: The cement plaza surround will be oval shaped and roughly 28’x34’, and in the center of the plaza will be stamped a large diamond shape. There will be a beautiful stone wall bench along the hillside and several benches in front for wonderful seating.
A separate bronze plaque and stand will tell the story of Cody Dorman and Cody’s Wish in Braille.
COST OF MONUMENT: $275,000.
Every donation is tax-deductible through the non-profit corporation, Angels Without Wings, Inc. (AWW), a 501 (c) 3 corporation dedicated to honoring and supporting people and organizations that do great work supporting and helping people that are less fortunate, and helping animals in need. It also places monuments and presents medals to animals that have served our country, and AWW placed a monument to the Korean War horse hero, SSgt. Reckless, at the KHP in 2018. AWW also honors and celebrates the bond that people have with animals, and the relationship between Cody Dorman and Cody’s Wish symbolizes this bond like no other. They both are true Angels Without Wings.
Every donation, no matter how large or small, will receive a “Certificate of Thanks and Appreciation” and posted on the Donor Wall on this website and on the Angels Without Wings website (AngelsWithoutWings.org).
For donations of $5,000+, you are guaranteed placement on the Donor Wall section on the monument - size and order of placement dependent on size of donation and secured upon receipt of donation.
For more complete details of the monument or for the complete Financial Proposal, click on the file below.
