Celeste Susany is recognized as one of the nation's premier equine artists. She was born October 26, 1951 in Youngstown, Ohio.  Her formative years were spent among the pageantry of Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar.

Celeste received her degree from Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. While still at school, she describes an occasional exit out the back curtain of her Perspective class to go to the track, as part of her education. After graduation, she became an art director for Nehi, a large record distributing company.

Part of her equestrian education came as a hotwalker at Santa Anita. Because she wasn't brought up around horses, she felt the need to get up close and personal by taking a job on the backside. Although her hotwalking days were short-lived, (because she felt the need to stay alive) it gave her a fuller perspective of the sport. 

Her first connection in Kentucky was Lee Horton, a gallery and frame shop owner in Lexington. They began dating and eventually married in September of 1985. Together they grew a small business selling artwork at race tracks and galleries around the country.  She gave birth to her son, Dustin, in 1986.   He has become a major part of her business operations. He is an art framer and produces most of her pieces.  Her daughter, Leeanne, also plays a role with running her greeting card business.  Her sister, Kathleen, also helps run the card business.  They moved to Saratoga Springs in 2001 and have remained there since. Needless to say, Celeste's artwork and business has been kept in the family. Since she has recently become a Grandmother, she hopes this tradition continues.

Her collection of Triple Crown Winners include Secretariat, Seattle Slew and American Pharoah.  In Kentucky, Celeste was commissioned to do the poster for the 1989, 1990, and 1996 Kentucky Derby.  She has also painted many Derby winners including Ferdinand, Alysheba, Winning Colors, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charasmartic, Fusaichi Pegasus, Funny Cide, Smarty Jones, Giacamo, Barbaro and Big Brown.

Celeste has had a presence in Saratoga since 1984 when she first exhibited her art at the Race Track.  She did the artwork for the program cover from 1998 to 2015.  She continues to exhibit her work on the track during the race meet.  Her work is also displayed throughout Saratoga including her gallery on Broadway, in the Downstreet Marketplace. 

In 2001, she was asked to do the artwork that graces the Early Times Mint Julep bottle, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.  She painted the bottle annually until 2014.

Celeste's paintings can be found in the collections of a distinguished list of clients, including Chris McCarron, Bob and Beverly Lewis, Wayne Lukas, Kris Robillard, Don Amos, Magna Int., Dermot Ryan, Ashford Stud, Robert and Christina Baker, Paul Horning, Alec Baldwin, Abbey and Javier Castellano, Bill and Susan Casner, Mark Taylor, Tony and Robin Malatino, Ed and Joanne Shapoff, Steve Burn, Scott Guenther, Tom Simmons, and many others. Her commercial clients include Santa Anita, Del Mar, Churchill Downs, Brown Forman, The New York Racing Association, Hoosier Park , The Oak Tree Racing Association, The Jockey Club, The Florida Breeder's Association, The Ontario Jockey Club and Arlington Park.

While on vacation in 2007, Celeste fell in love with a native Saint Lucian.  Marcus Nelson helped her become the woman she is today.  She has spent much time visiting the island over the past years.   The topography, climate and third world lifestyle added a flare of inspiration to Celeste's creativity.  She painted landscapes, sunsets, and the ocean scenes near where she lived.  She also painted some of the native people to the island, including Marcus.

Her passion and talent is not only confined to Thoroughbred Racing.  Celeste has enjoyed successes as a portrait and landscape painter.  In years to come, she hopes to wean from the demand for commerical products, to enjoy her true passion as an artist....painting!