Rescued Racehorse and Foal Find New Life in Jeju Sanctuary

A retired South Korean racehorse, "Segwangjilju," is embarking on a second life at a horse sanctuary in Jeju, thanks to the efforts of animal rights groups. The 5-year-old horse, who earned over 32.5 million won (approximately $23,000) during its racing career, was retired on May 20 due to poor performance and was moved to the Jeju National University horse sanctuary on May 21.

Segwangjilju's rescue is particularly poignant as it is the offspring of "Neulbom" (racing name 'My Illusive Dream'), a 16-year-old retired mare rescued from a slaughterhouse in Jeju in October 2023. Neulbom, found in a state of malnutrition, was later returned to her native farm in Florida with the help of organizations like Jeju Vegan and PETA. The concern for Segwangjilju grew as it was believed that its siblings from the same mother had already been sent to slaughter.

The rescue highlights a significant issue in South Korea's horse racing industry: the lack of a robust system to care for retired racehorses. While the Korea Racing Authority claims about 40% of retired horses transition to riding horses, critics argue this is merely a paper statistic. Jeju Vegan's investigation found no retired racehorses at a farm reportedly housing 156 such animals.

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Racehorses are mobilized for the horse racing industry through high-intensity training from a young age, but there is no public rescue and protection system after retirement.

Racehorses typically compete from ages 2-3 until 5-7, with an average lifespan exceeding 20 years. However, without a transition to other equestrian roles, many face slaughter. The current system often leads to horses being neglected, falling ill, or starving after multiple ownership changes. Jeju Vegan's representative, Kim Ran-young, emphasized the lack of public support systems for these animals, despite their demanding careers.

While Segwangjilju receives temporary care at Jeju National University, its long-term future remains uncertain due to budget constraints. Kim hopes the sanctuary can evolve into a comprehensive center for rescue, welfare, rehabilitation, and education. The successful rescue of Segwangjilju is seen as a potential turning point for establishing a better protection system for retired racehorses in the country, fostering collaboration between private, academic, and public sectors.

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We hope that the Jeju National University horse sanctuary will become a facility that encompasses rescue, protection, welfare, rehabilitation, and education for rescued horses, not just a simple protection space.