American horse racing sensation Cody’s Wish continues to stamp his legacy in the horse racing world. The multiple-grade winner has been a fan favorite since his first start at Belmont Park in April 2021. Although he finished 3rd, in the next 15 races, the 6-year-old would add 5 Grade 1 victories to his name by the end of his racing career. However, it was the 2023 season that was quite unprecedented for the Godolphin-owned equine.
Cody’s Wish took the dirt tracks by storm last year winning three Grade 1 races, a 3rd place finish in another, and one Grade 2 race in his five starts. As he receives the 2023 Horse of The Year award, the horse racing community is in awe of the dirt mile legend.
Cody’s Wish has besotted the horse racing realm for posterity
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As the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards concluded in Palm Beach, Fla, the horse racing world witnessed Cody’s Wish win the 2023 Thoroughbred Horse of the Year award. It marked his first Horse of the Year award, and so did it for the Godolphin operation. Taking to Instagram, Godolphin announced their happiness, writing, “We are humbled and honored to announce that #CodysWish has been named the 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ Horse of the Year at this year’s #EclipseAwards!🙏🏻 Thank you Cody and thank you Cody’s Wish!”
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Earlier during the ceremony, the 6-year-old was also named as the champion older dirt male. Hailing his achievements, the U.S. director of Godolphin expressed, “We’re biased but I think he was the best horse of 2023“. Best he was, undoubtedly, as winning 3 Grade 1 races out of 4 is no small feat. Cody’s Wish started with a decisive victory in the Metropolitan Stakes followed by breathtaking finishes at Whitney Stakes and Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. Commemorating it all, fans inundated praises.
Fans embody minstrels and sing praises for star stallion
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A year and a half before, he didn’t have a single Group 1 victory, and now, Cody’s Wish finishes with 5 to cap off a legendary career, and a story. Appreciating his tremendous success, a fan hailed the 6-year-old, saying, “What a story. What a horse”—an inspirational story to say the least. “On the wings of angels”, another fan commented to romanticize the moment.
READ MORE: Horse Racing Legends Cody’s Wish, White Abarrio, and More Set to Contend for Prestigious Eclipse Award
Given the success he achieved under Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott in 2023, Cody’s Wish was undoubtedly the number 1 contender for the award. So did fans believe. “He earned it..congratulations“, a user wrote. Another fan expressed a similar sentiment, saying “Congratulations. Well deserved. Brilliant horse. Amazing story”.
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Whether it was his wish or not, Godolphin would surely have wished to get their hands on the Horse of the Year award. “Cody and his Wish. Fulfilled “, a user wrote. Another fan directly sent the congratulatory note to Godolphin, writing, “Wow congratulations team Godolphin“. As the racing career of Cody’s Wish ends, the award was a perfect tribute to the equestrian legend.
