LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Horse Park unveiled a bronze monument on Saturday honoring the extraordinary connection between a Madison County teenager and a champion thoroughbred racehorse whose story captivated millions.

"The Bond: Two Hearts - One Spirit" honors the extraordinary relationship between a boy and a horse, unveiled at the Kentucky Horse Park seven years to the day after they first connected. More than 500 people gathered for the unveiling of the monument, which is at the center of a circular plaza that also includes granite stones displaying images of Cody and Cody's Wish, the story of the bond between boy and horse, highlights of the 2023 Horse of the Year's accomplishments and a list of major donors.

Born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disease, Cody Dorman was confined to a wheelchair and communicated via an electronic tablet. During his short life he endured almost 50 surgeries and his body was ravaged by strokes and seizures. Cody died the day after a final race on his way back home to Kentucky when he was almost 18 years old.

The celebrated bond began in 2018 when the Dormans visited Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The young foal, later named Cody's Wish, approached Cody, who was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and used a wheelchair. From that moment, a lifelong connection was formed. Each time they saw each other again, the horse would lower his head gently into Cody's lap.

Cody's Wish went on to become a two-time winner of Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in 2022-23 and was named 2023 Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male. Cody's Wish has embarked on the next stage of his life as a breeding stallion at Jonabell Farm. His first foals were born this year, and the Dorman family still visit him regularly.

Created by renowned equine sculptor Jocelyn Russell, The Bond honors the extraordinary relationship between a horse and a young man. The life-sized bronze captures Cody's Wish lowering his head into Dorman's lap, a gesture repeated every time they met and one that ignited a spark in both of their hearts. A conscious decision was made not to include Cody in the piece, but instead to leave the space where he would have been in his chair free, so that anyone can pose with the horse.

The monument is thoughtfully designed so that visitors in wheelchairs can roll up to the sculpture, place their hands on the horse's nose and meet the gaze of Cody's Wish—a direct reflection of Dorman's own experience. Sculptor Jocelyn Russell, who also created the Secretariat bronze on Old Frankfort Pike and Sgt. Reckless in the Horse Park, described how important it was to her that this piece be accessible, after losing her two nephews to muscular dystrophy.

Lee Carter, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park, noted Cody's Wish is the only statue of a living horse among the 40 located on the grounds.