A few months ago Max Whitby was so disappointed with A Touch Of Ruby he decided her future lay as a brood mare.

It still does, but with an added bonus after the pregnant mare bowed out a Group One winner of Saturday's Thorndon Mile at Trentham.

Whitby, a Sydney businessman who races horses in Australia and New Zealand, instructed Steve Autridge to find a suitable stallion and the trainer recommended Jimmy Choux.

The price tag on the resultant foal has now soared but Whitby says it may not be for sale.

"I was disappointed with how she was going last year," Whitby said.

"I expected more of her and I told Stevie to find a stallion for her.

"I'm so chuffed. There's a way to go yet but I think I will probably race the foal myself."

Punters also thought A Touch Of Ruby had been disappointing, sending her out at 47-1 in the Wellington feature.

Jimmy Choux won five Group One races including the 2011 Rosehill Guineas and was runner-up in that year's Cox Plate.

He began stud duties in 2012 at New Zealand's Rich Hill Stud.

A half sister to A Touch Of Ruby will go through the ring on Tuesday at New Zealand's major yearling sale at Karaka in Auckland.

The filly is by Savabeel who Whitby raced with trainer Graeme Rogerson to win the 2004 Cox Plate.

Whitby is in New Zealand for the yearling sale looking to add to his team which includes the Mick Price-trained Cornrow, runner-up to Mohave in Saturday's Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield.

"I also had Hard To Hold win at Newcastle and Monbazillac ran third at Randwick so it was a good day all round," Whitby said.

"And I've got my eye on a few Savabeels at the sale so we'll see what happens."