Jeff Kerber’s 3-year-old homebred colt Unsearchable , making his second profession begin, got here with a gentle run by the stretch and edged away from Triple Crown-nominated Remaining Story late to present coach George “Rusty” Arnold II his 2,000th profession victory March 14 at Gulfstream Park.
Ridden by jockey Jorge Ruiz, additionally up for Unsearchable’s Feb. 7 unveiling at Gulfstream, the son of Not This Time ($5.80) ran 7 furlongs on a quick predominant observe in 1:22.97 to win the maiden particular weight for 3-year-olds by a half-length.
Unsearchable was the lone starter of the day, twenty sixth of the Championship Meet and third winner for Arnold, who turns 71 March 26. He picked up win No. 1,999 with 3-year-old filly To a Flame March 7 at Gulfstream.
“We have stood the check of time. It has been an extended haul after which the final month it obtained actually gradual. It is nice. It’s totally thrilling that I obtained there,” Arnold mentioned. “Good horses hold you going. They make you get up a bit extra excited. That is considered one of them, I feel.”
A local of Paris, Ky., Arnold celebrated the milestone victory within the winner’s circle together with his spouse, Sarah, a former train rider who has been his long-time assistant. Join BloodHorse Day by day
“She’s the spine of the operation. She’s been there for all of them, nearly,” Arnold mentioned. “I’ve had a bunch of actually, actually good assistants and been very, very fortunate. Good house owners, good assistants and an important spouse that oversees all of it and steadies me after I want steadying.”
Arnold has banked almost $92.4 million in purse earnings from 13,623 starters since going out on his personal in 1975. He has reached seven figures in purses earned in 40 of the final 41 years, reaching a profession excessive of $5,603,177 in 2025.
“Luckily for us, it obtained actually good now. A whole lot of it does not occur if you’re my age,” he mentioned. “It form of ideas off the hill, and the final three years have been the very best three years we have ever had. It form of retains you going.”
A 3rd-generation horseman, Arnold’s father co-owned Truthful Acres Farm the place he bred horses to race and promote. Arnold’s brother, Terry, works at WinStar Farm.
Rising up, Arnold labored on the household farm throughout weekends and summers. He galloped for coach Eugene Euster whereas taking pre-veterinary programs on the College of Kentucky, working his approach as much as assistant coach earlier than going out on his personal.
In 1985, Arnold was named to coach a division of John Ed Anthony’s Loblolly Steady changing eventual Corridor of Famer Shug McGaughey. In recent times, he has had success coaching for proprietor G. Watts Humphrey Jr.
Arnold earned the primary of his 108 graded stakes victories with The Wheel Turns within the 1982 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (G2) at Bowie Race Course in Maryland. Later that yr, Wavering Monarch gave him his first grade 1 win within the Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1) at Monmouth Park.
Different grade 1 success for Arnold have come within the 2025 and 2001 Take a look at Stakes (G1), 2019 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T), 2017 and 1997 Spinster Stakes (G1), 2016 and 2012 Ashland Stakes (G1), 2013 Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T), 2010 Mile Stakes (G1T), 2007 Breeders’ Futurity (G1), 1996 Shuvee Handicap (G1), 1993 Nassau County Handicap (G1), 1990 Prime Flight Handicap (G1), 1989 Demoiselle Stakes (G1), 1988 Futurity Stakes (G1), and 1986 Brooklyn Handicap (G1).
Arnold has educated seven millionaires, led by two-time graded-stakes winner Gear Jockey ($1.6 million). Final fall, he grew to become the all-time main coach at Keeneland together with his 309th victory, yet one more than Corridor of Famer Invoice Mott.
“Turning into the all-time main coach at Keeneland was huge for me. I grew up there,” Arnold mentioned. “You all the time take into consideration the primary graded stake you received. There’s loads of issues to take a seat again and mirror on. Fifty-one years I have been fortunate sufficient to do that. To return to work and do that job for 51 years, it does not occur a lot.”
This press launch has been edited for content material and magnificence by BloodHorse Employees.
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