Cody’s Wish realises G1 aspirations with Forego Stakes win

Cody's Wish wrote another chapter in his fairytale career as he flew home to beat Champion sprinter Jackie’s Warrior in the G1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga, USA, on Saturday, 27 August.

The Curlin homebred is named in honour of Cody Dorman, who suffers from the rare genetic disorder Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome. The duo developed a special bond during a tour of Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky in 2018, when the then unnamed foal walked over to Dorman and put his head in his lap.

Cody’s Wish has subsequently established himself as a talented colt for Bill Mott and headed into the seven-furlong sprint having won five of his previous six starts, including scoring decisively in Belmont Park’s G3 Westchester Stakes in May.

After breaking on terms, Cody’s Wish was held up in sixth as Pipeline and Jackie’s Warrior duelled for the early lead. The Godolphin four-year-old still had significant ground to make up as he started to make his move turning in, with Junior Alvarado switching his mount widest of all at the top of the straight.

Jackie’s Warrior finally fought off Pipeline approaching the final furlong but could not repel the late charge of Cody’s Wish, who hit the front in the closing strides for a length and a quarter success.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “It’s the most wonderful story in the world. Cody Dorman has been a part of this horse’s life all the way through and for Cody’s Wish to win a G1 race today is absolutely fantastic. Cody always sends through his prediction of how Cody’s Wish will run and he said the horse would win today.

“Bill Mott and his crew have done such a great job with this horse, building him up all the way through. Today was the first time Cody’s Wish has run over seven furlongs since his debut, so to beat a Champion in Jackie’s Warrior in a Forego is a special result for us.

“We were thinking about the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile for Cody’s Wish because he looked to be a one-turn mile specialist. This has opened up some more options but we really think he is a horse for the Dirt Mile.”