Big Ass Fans celebrated MGISW Cody's Wish (Curlin) at a ceremony to honor namesake Cody Dorman with Make-A-Wish Foundation, Godolphin at Jonabell Farm and special guests held July 25.
Dorman, who first met Cody's Wish during a visit to Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm in 2018, immediately formed a life-long bond with the horse that lasted until Dorman passed in November 2023, one day after he watched Cody's Wish win a second consecutive GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
“Big Ass Fans was part of two of the biggest days of Cody's life and two of the biggest days in Cody's Wish's career,” said Kelly Dorman, Cody's father. “We'll never forget that.”
During Thursday's celebration, Big Ass Fans honored Dorman's memory with a special gift–a commemorative Black Jack fan. The steel framed, six-and-a-half-foot maneuverable fan, presented by Big Ass Fans' Chloe Bates, will ensure Cody's Wish stays cool and comfortable as a stallion at Godolphin's Jonabell Farm.
“What an incredible legacy that this family and this horse and this boy have given us,” said Bates. “We hope this gift will honor that legacy and Cody's memory for years to come.”
“Every step of this story just gets more magical,” said Jonabaell Stud Farm Manager Danny Mulvihill. “How lucky are all of us here at Godolphin to have been along for this ride? And we've got this big boy behind us here for an exciting next chapter in his career.”
Big Ass Fans, also a proud partner of Make-A-Wish Foundation, will continue to honor Cody's legacy by helping fund a future child's wish.
“I think Kelly and Leslie Dorman will say that granting wishes and horses were two of Cody's favorite things,” said Faith Hacker, Kentucky Market Director for Make-A-Wish. “We're thrilled to share that, with the help of Big Ass Fans, as part of Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland this October, we will grant the first wish as part of the Cody Dorman Legacy Fund.”
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