Keeneland-based trainer Rusty Arnold reached a milestone Wednesday when he sent out Glenn Bromagen II and Michael Dahir’s Neon Icon to win the sixth race for his 300^th win at Keeneland. Arnold, who has won five races during the Fall Meet, is second to Bill Mott on the list of trainers by wins here.

“This is showing longevity more than anything else,” Arnold said about reaching the milestone. “I have done this a long time and we have been very lucky here. We train here (all year) and that makes it even better.”

Arnold represents the third generation of his family in the Thoroughbred industry in Central Kentucky. His grandfather James Russell was the broodmare foreman at Elmendorf Farm. His father, the late George R. Arnold Sr., co-owned Fair Acres Farm; bred horses to race or sell; and was a longtime trainer at Keeneland. Rusty’s brother, Terry, is the Rehabilitation and Breaking Manager at WinStar Farm.

Arnold tallied his first Keeneland win during the 1977 Spring Meet. He is an original resident of the Keeneland Training Center, affectionally known as “Rice Road” for its location on the road that borders the west side of Keeneland. The area, which now has nine barns, opened in 1981.

In 1996, Arnold married his wife, Sarah, a former exercise rider who works with him in their training operation. Her roles have included escorting horses to the track while riding the stable pony. 

Arnold’s Keeneland record includes 22 stakes wins, including these Grade 1 races: Spinster with Clear Mandate (1997) and Romantic Vision (2017); Breeders’ Futurity with Wicked Style (2007); Maker’s Mark Mile with Karelian (2010); Ashland with Karlovy Vary (2012) and Weep No More (2016); and Jenny Wiley with Centre Court (2013). 

“This is great that it was for the Bromagen family because such a big number of these wins were their horses. I have been training for them since about 1986,” Arnold said after Neon Icon and jockey Jose Ortiz captured the 1 1/8-mile race by 1 length in 1:52.16.

“I have to thank all the owners: the Bromagens, G. Watts Humphrey (Jr.), Taylor Asbury from way back,” Arnold said. “I know I am going to forget to mention somebody. Calumet Farm has really jumped on and helped me. So many people through the years, I don’t want to forget anybody. Some have been with me a long time.”