Please join us in making this inspiring monument happen!
The Monument
"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'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 Website 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 monument itself on the Monument Donor Plaque - size and order of placement dependent on size of donation and secured upon receipt of donation.
FOR MORE FUNDRAISING AND DONOR WALL INFORMATION - CLICK HERE.
The Diamond Influence in the Plaza
A Message from Kelly Dorman
If you notice, Cody's Wish is standing on a diamond. The diamond was placed there because it has had a special meaning throughout Cody's life. The diamond was first connected to Cody as a symbol of inspiration that he made on the bass fishing community in this area and beyond. 2008 was a very trying time in Cody's life, he endured numerous difficult and dangerous surgeries at this time.
To show the vast amount of support that Cody had from the many fishing buddies that he inspired early in his life, they gathered together and had a charity fishing tournament to support Cody and his family during these trying times. And during this act of kindness and generosity the emblem that has stood with Cody throughout the years was born, Casting for Cody, which pictured a largemouth bass with a diamond in the background with Casting for Cody inscribed at the bottom. Maybe it was born as a symbol of Cody being a "diamond in the rough".
Ten years later, Cody surprisingly met his best friend and phenomenal racehorse, Cody's Wish. This horse must have been destined to fill the role that he had in their connection; he was born with a diamond marking on his forehead. Something that was overlooked at first but became obvious as their divine connection grew stronger.
There is also another diamond that is involved in this beautiful story. Bill Mott, the trainer for Cody's Wish, has had a white diamond on a green background for his stables throughout his career. Is this just a coincidence? Some people may suggest that. As for Cody, I'm sure that he knows that it isn't, as for those blessed to be close to Cody, they will tell you that this didn't just happen either.
Maybe this is just a small hint from heaven above, reminding us that "diamonds in the rough" exist all around us. No matter how you perceive the diamonds, they will forever be a part of Cody, a part of Cody's Wish, and part of the perfect trainer that helped play and guide a special part in this amazing journey.
Diamonds actually are forever.
The Monument Story Wall
by Paul Halloran
THE BOND
Two Hearts, One Spirit
Cody Dorman and Cody’s Wish
Cody Dorman had already beaten the odds when he was introduced to a 5-month-old foal at Gainsborough Farm in 2018. Born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, he underwent more than 40 operations, including two open-heart surgeries before he was 3. Cody made an instant connection with the foal, the interaction so impactful that Godolphin named him after Cody and Make-A-Wish. When Cody was depressed during the pandemic, a visit to see “his” horse snapped him out of it.
As Cody’s Wish started winning races, Cody traveled to racetracks around the country to watch him. Each time they met – in the paddock, on the backstretch, in the winner’s circle – the bond between the strapping racehorse and 70-pound boy was evident. Cody finally had the friend he so desperately wanted.
Cody saw Cody’s Wish win the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland in 2022. He traveled to Santa Anita with his parents, Kelly and Leslie, and sister, Kylie, for the 2023 Dirt Mile, watching from the winner’s circle as Cody’s Wish capped his career with a thrilling victory. The following day, November 5, 2023, Cody Dorman finished his race. While his death caused immeasurable sadness, those close to him were comforted by the fact that he was there for his horse right to the end.
The story of Cody and Cody’s Wish is one of resilience, triumph and love, a tale of an inexplicable, yet undeniable connection between a courageous boy and the champion racehorse he considered his best friend.
Copy for the Story Wall
by Paul Halloran, Author of the Upcoming Book: Cody: A Boy, a Horse and a Wish for Life (Coming Soon!)
Kentucky Horse Park - Site
