Celeste Kunz, VMD

Dr. Celeste Kunz, a new Jersey native, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. As a teenager Dr. Kunz rode hunt seat equitation and junior jumper and as an undergraduate was inducted into the Jersey City University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. She later became their riding coach, leading the urban riders to win IHSA regional championships.

Dr. Kunz was the first woman to hold the position of New York Racing Association Chief Examining Veterinarian overseeing horses at Belmont Park, Aqueduct and Saratoga racetracks. A member of the Breeders Cup and Triple Crown veterinarian teams, Dr. Kunz served on the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Professional Conduct and Ethics Committee.

Recognized world-wide as an authority on racetrack regulatory practice, Dr. Kunz lectures biennially at the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians on topics including catastrophic racing injuries, biosecurity, infectious disease, and traumatic neurological assessment.

Dr. Kunz is a spokesperson for AAEP’s Eclipse Award-winning “On Call” program, providing veterinary information to the media during live coverage of major races throughout the country with the goal of educating the public about the specialized care our equine athletes.

Dr. Kunz is a consultant for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, certifying racetracks that adhere to a Code of Standards with regard to injury reporting and prevention, safer racing surfaces, medication and testing, jockey health and safety, and aftercare for retired horses.

Founded in 2006, Kunz Equine LLC provides emergency and diagnostic support during races at the Meadowlands and conducts the lasix administration program at the Meadowlands, Monmouth Park, and Parx. Kunz Equine owns and operates an equine hyperbaric oxygen chamber at Gaitway Farm.

“Dr. Celeste” is a collector of asian equine antiquities, French Impressionist paintings and her passion is Sphynx and Bengal cats. (Source)

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