$7000 online purchase Willaidow takes earnings past $500,000 after winning Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes

Willaidow, an unwanted yearling who was sold for $7000 and races with three pins in his leg, could be set for the Doncaster Mile after a career-best win in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes.

Willaidow (yellow and purple) is urged to victory by Tyler Schiller in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes at Rosehill. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Willaidow is proof the dream is alive in racing.

He was unwanted as a yearling and wasn’t even broken in when purchased online for just $7000, races with three pins after breaking a leg, he’s now earned over $500,000 prizemoney – and he might have just raced himself into contention for the $4m Doncaster Mile.

Trainer Marc Conners revealed Willaidow’s remarkable backstory after the sprinter scored a career-best win in the Group 3 $250,000 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

“This is what the game is about – there are no rules,’’ Conners said.

The story had its genesis when Conners was studying a Magic Millions online dispersal sale and came across a gelding by Shamus Award that took his eye.

“Willaidow was an untried three-year-old gelding who had never been broken in, no one had been near him,’’ Conners said.

“But he was by Shamus Award, he had a bit of pedigree, and only cost me $7000.’’

Willaidow digs deep to win the Southern Cross Stakes in a photo! 📸 @[e-mail]/XRZd4oFPcj

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2025

Williadow is now a rising seven-year-old, he has only been to the races 17 times for eight wins and three second placings, and his breakthrough win at stakes level has taken his career earnings for over $580,000.

Conners is daring to dream of a possible Doncaster Mile start after Willaidow ($4.40), ridden by Tyler Schiller, fought off Iowna Merc ($7.50) to win narrowly with Brudenell ($6.50) three-quarters of a length away third.

Accredited ($2.70 favourite) appeared to have his chance before fading to finish sixth.

Willaidow likes to lead in his races but James McDonald, rider of Hard To Say, had other ideas.

“When James wanted to go quick I thought he may have been content to sit outside us early because I dug up,’’ Schiller said.

“But the he wanted to keep going and it probably helped to drag us into the race without firing him up.

“He didn’t overrace which was great and travelled really well behind the leader.

“When he hit the front he was all out at the 100m but he kept finding.

“He’s so tough! I think he was beaten about three times up the straight and I actually thought I got out-bobbed, but to his credit, he just kept finding.

“He’s just the ultimate professional. All you can ask is that they try hard, and when they have ability and try hard, it makes it a lot easier.”

Hear from @ConnersMarc following Willaidow's tough win in the Southern Cross Stakes 🏇 pic.twitter.com/dDpseuK9wG

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 1, 2025

Conners admitted it was hard to get a line on Willaidow leading into his comeback race as the gelding is not a renowned trackworker.

“He is a terrible trackworker, he just falls in in his trials, he sweats up bad before a race, walks around like a crab, but he goes out there on race day and finds another gear,’’ Conners said.

“He wants a fight, the closer they get to him the harder he tries.

“I was looking for the post the 100m and Iowna Merc got pretty close to him but he dug deep.’’

Conners said he has no program set in stone for Willaidow but would like to target the Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 5, Day 1 of the Championships.

“I would love to get him to a Doncaster,’’ Conners said.

“I just think with a lightweight, sitting outside the leader, he would take some running down.

“But there is no plan, we have plenty of options for him as there is a race for him every two or three weeks.

“We will take our time, pick our races off and try to keep him winning.’’

Conners has every right to be ambitious with Willaidow but the trainer revealed it nearly went horribly wrong for the sprinter early in his race career.

Willaidow was having only his sixth start when he won at Nowra nearly two years ago only to break his cannon bone.

“We had to put three pins in his leg,’’ Conners revealed.

“They say the surgery is highly successful and it heals well but he still has those pins in his leg.’’

When asked what he thought when told Willaidow needed surgery, Conners replied: “It was lucky he won at Nowra because it was a $10,000 operation!”

Originally published as $7000 online purchase Willaidow takes earnings past $500,000 after winning Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes