Parnell, MO

Tucked away in the quiet countryside of northeast Nodaway County, Parnell is a tiny rural community of around 130 residents with a surprisingly big place in sports history. The town sits along the Platte River at the crossroads of Route 46 and Route NN. While it originally grew as a railroad stop in the late 1880s, its proudest legacy belongs to legendary thoroughbred trainer Ben Jones. Born here to the town’s founder, Jones trained six Kentucky Derby winners and two Triple Crown champions, with his son Jimmy later adding two more Derby victories of his own. Today, Parnell offers a quiet, relaxed pace of living surrounded by open farmland, river views, and deep local roots.