Korea's Racing Towards a Commitment to Horse Welfare

Nov 11, 2024

9 min read

The 2024 Korea Racing Thouroughbred Championship. (Photo: KRA)

In a recent interview, Bred 4 Sports spoke with Eojin Im, an Equine Vet from the KRA Equine Welfare Centre. Eojin discussed the launch of the 2024 Korea Retired Thoroughbred Championship and provided insights into the Korean Racing Authority's commitment to horse welfare and aftercare programs.

The Korea Retired Thoroughbred Championship (KRTC) was launched for the first time in 2024, supported by the Thoroughbred Welfare Fund, which was established through the collaboration of the Korea Racing Authority (KRA), the Seoul Racehorse Owners Association (SROA), and the Bukyeong Racehorse Owners Association (BROA).

It has been benchmarking best practices for aftercare from around the world, such as the Equimillion event in New South Wales, Australia, and the Retired Racehorse Project in the United States. KRA has reviewed various aftercare cases based on the IFAR's Aftercare toolkits and then modified them to introduce the Championship in Korea.

The 2024 Korea Racing Thouroughbred Championship. (Photo: KRA)

The first championship was held at the Gumi-si Horseback Riding Center from June 1st to June 2nd 2024, and the total prize money for the equestrian competition was approximately 80 million KRW, which is around $88,000 AUD.

The second championship took place at the KRA's 86th and 88th Olympic horse riding grounds in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, from October 4th to October 5th. The total prize money for this equestrian competition was approximately 100 million KRW, which is around $110,000 AUD.

The Championship comprised a total of seven equestrian events: two entry-level horse shows (one riding show and one non-riding show), two dressage events, and three show jumping competitions. They also introduced a horse judging competition called Wellbeing Horse Korea, allowing attendees and the general public to vote for the best-managed and healthiest horse online using a QR code to showcase horses on-site.

The 2024 Korea Racing Thouroughbred Championship. (Photo: KRA)

At the second Championship, 55 horses and 28 riders participated in the equestrian competition, with a total of 30 horses placing in the seven equestrian disciplines and five horses placing in the Wellbeing Horse Korea.

As a side event, activities such as a horse parade, making horse puppets, colouring horse mobiles, and quizzes provided enjoyment and engagement for general participants and children.

The 2024 Korea Racing Thouroughbred Championship. Kids with the horses. (Photo: KRA)

The 2024 Korea Racing Thouroughbred Championship. Photo Booths. (Photo: KRA)

All participants completed the KRA's online education on horse welfare, which included a lecture by Dr. Eliot regarding IFAR and the Aftercare toolkits. With the participants' consent, the competition was held without the use of whips.

Since this is the early stage of introducing the equestrian competition, the main focus is not on retired racehorses competing for excellence, but on expanding the opportunities for them to be used as riding horses for a second career. The goal is to encourage greater participation in the equestrian industry, promote the transition of retired racehorses into riding horses, and improve awareness about retired racehorses.

The 2024 Korea Racing Thouroughbred Championship winners: 1st Place: Jiljue Bada, 2nd Place: Tes Mary, 3rd Place: Kelly Queen. (Photo: KRA)

Korean Racing Authority

In 2019, the Korea Racing Authority prepared to invite international experts to establish welfare policy directions for retired racehorses and to develop suitable business models for their implementation.

During this time Eojin, worked at the Veterinary Department of the KRA, and based on a recommendation from Di Arbuthnot, the chair of both the UK’s Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and the International Forum for Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR), he was invited by Dr. Eliot Forbes to Korea in November 2019, representing the Korea Racing Authority. Dr. Forbes is a member of the IFAR executive committee and an expert in the field of retired racehorses.

Dr. Eliot Forbes conducted seminars at Seoul Racecourse and Busan Racecourse on topics such as social change and trends in animal welfare, the social license of racing, the Australian racing industry and its horse welfare policies, the current status of IFAR, IFAR aftercare toolkits, and exemplary cases of systems and policies for retired racehorses from abroad. Additionally, he provided consulting and advisory services to the relevant departments of the Korea Racing Authority regarding policies and initiatives related to the welfare of retired racehorses.

Dr. Eliot Forbes's visit to Korea in 2019 marked an important milestone in the development of the Korea Racing Authority's welfare initiatives for retired racehorses, and he believes that the support and collaboration from IFAR have made significant contributions and assistance in this area.

Recently, the Korea Racing Authority has joined IFAR as a full member and will work to enhance the welfare system for retired racehorses by collaborating and exchanging ideas with major organisations abroad.

The Korea Racing Authority's Thoroughbred Welfare Fund

The Korea Racing Authority's welfare program for Thoroughbred racehorses is supported by the Thoroughbred Welfare Fund, which is established through a 1:1 matching contribution from the Korea Racing Authority and the Seoul and Busan-Gyeongnam Horseowners Associations. The fund totals 2 billion KRW (approximately $2.2 million AUD) each year for five years, amounting to 10 billion KRW (around $11 million AUD) in total.

The Thoroughbred Welfare Fund was first introduced in 2020, and in 2022, it was announced that a total of 10 billion KRW (around $11 million AUD) would be established from 2023 to 2027 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Korea Racing Authority, the Seoul Racehorse Owners Association, and the Bukyeong Racehorse Owners Association.

2024 Thoroughbred Welfare Fund: (Photo KRA)

The Korea Racing Authority utilises the Thoroughbred Welfare Fund to support the rehabilitation of injured racehorses, operate a transition program for retired racehorses to become riding horses, hold equestrian competitions for retired racehorses, conduct a resting program for honorary racehorses in collaboration with private companies and breeding farms, and run a program that supports foal training, including imprint training.

The Korea Racing Authority's Aftercare program for transition of retired racehorses into riding horses.

The Korea Racing Authority's program for supporting the transition of retired racehorses into riding horses was introduced in 2021 and has been modifying and benchmarking its business models by referring to the UK's RoR (Retraining of Racehorses), the USA's TAA (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance), the Queensland racing authority program, and other international cases.

In South Korea, equestrian facilities specialising in horse training have been designated as cooperative facilities for the transition of retired racehorses into riding horses. As of February 2024, this includes seven public riding centre and 19 private riding facilities. Currently, due to the growing interest and demand for participation in the riding horse transition program, we are considering the addition of more cooperative facilities. This year, the goal for the transition of retired racehorses into riding horses is set at 100 horses.

The 2024 Honorary Retired Racehorse Program MOU (Jeju Isidore Farm). Photo: KRA

Horses eligible for participation in the program must be in good health and either scheduled for retirement or within 180 days of having their racing registration cancelled. Cooperative facilities must adopt or purchase retired racehorses from owners and hold the ownership of these horses. They can apply for the program through the Korea Racing Authority's Horse Welfare Centre.

Horses that have been approved for the program will undergo training at the cooperative facilities for a total of six months. Based on the results of the first and second evaluations, a maximum of 5 million KRW per horse, which is around $5,500 AUD will be provided to support training costs and management.

The 2024 Honorary Retired Racehorse Resting Farm Event (NH Farmland). (Photo: KRA)

Each cooperative facility has a quota limiting the number of horses that can apply for the program. New facilities are designated for 3 horses, existing facilities for 5 horses, and outstanding facilities for 7 horses.

Horses participating in the program must undergo a total of two evaluations. The first evaluation consists of health status assessment, conformation evaluation, temperament evaluation, and basic exercise evaluation. The second evaluation includes a fundamental assessment that covers the horse's soundness, handling, and body condition, as well as an ability assessment for completing a designated course and evaluations of gaits such as walk, trot, and canter. The course includes activities such as jumping over cross obstacles, moving backward, spraying, unfolding an umbrella, crossing puddles, listening to compressor noises, raising balloons, passing through hanging obstacles, standing still, and riding without assistance.

Transition Program for Retired Racehorses. (Photo: KRA)

The evaluations of the horses are conducted by staff from the relevant departments of the Korea Racing Authority or by consultants currently operating under the Korea Racing Authority, who will visit the cooperative facilities to perform the assessments in person.

If a horse participating in the program passes away, support for veterinary treatment costs and training fees will be provided based on the duration of participation, provided that the cause of death is confirmed to be due to illness by a veterinarian's diagnosis.

Equestrian facilities that own horses in the program may engage in activities such as entering the horses in competitions, selling, trading, or transferring them once the program is completed.

Equestrian facilities and horse-related individuals participating in the Korea Racing Authority's Thoroughbred Welfare Fund support program must complete online horse welfare education.

Transitioning Program for Retired Racehorses. (Photo: KRA)

KRA's Rehabilitative supportive program for injured racehorses

The Korea Racing Authority operates a program that supports the treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery of injured racehorses.

The racehorse rehabilitation support program aims to help injured racehorses recover and return to racing, extend their active careers, and ultimately provide them with the opportunity to retire in good health and transition into riding horses. The program is applied during the active phase of a racehorse’s career, addressing injuries sustained during racing and training, and contributes to the enhancement of welfare standards throughout the horses’ lifecycle.

Surgery in Korea. (Photo: KRA)

The Korea Racing Authority's veterinary hospital provides examination, diagnosis, treatment, and surgery for injured racehorses, while the Horse Welfare Centre supports a rehabilitation period of six months with Thoroughbred Welfare Fund.

Each year, the program supports the rehabilitation of a total of 50 horses at the racecourses in Seoul and Busan. Racehorse owners, trainers, and grooms have a strong understanding of and high satisfaction with the program.

Starting this year, the program was revised so that if a racehorse supported by the rehabilitation program wins first place within one year of returning to the racetrack, the owner donates an amount to the Thoroughbred Welfare Fund that does not exceed the support they received. The successful return of injured racehorses contributes to the funding structure that supports welfare programs for other horses.

1. Retirement Farm Model : The Korea Racing Authority (KRA) introduced a retirement farm model for honoured racehorses in collaboration with private organisations in 2023. The aim is to create a tourist attraction where the general public and horse racing fans can visit retired champion horses, as well as to enhance the welfare of racehorses. Following the visit to Living Legends, the international home for retired champion horses, during the 2023 IFAR and the Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne, the KRA and Nonghyup Agribusiness Group Inc. have been discussing a facility model for the aftercare system in Korea. Subsequently, discussions have also been held with the Isidore Development Association regarding a retirement farm model in the Jeju region.

2. Partnership with Nonghyup Agribusiness Group Inc : The KRA signed an MOU with Nonghyup Agribusiness Group Inc. in 2023 to establish a partnership for aftercare and develop new initiatives for horse welfare. The Nonghyup Agribusiness Group Inc. is the largest livestock corporation in South Korea. The new retirement facility has been developed at Nonghyup Anseong Farmland, a subsidiary of the Nonghyup Agribusiness Group Inc. This site is an animal theme park featuring over 50 species of domesticated animals and seasonal flower landscapes, which is expected to attract about 800,000 visitors this year.

3. Collaboration with Isidore Development Association : In 2024, the KRA signed an MOU with the Isidore Development Association to collaborate on a retirement farm for honoured racehorses at Isidore Farm on Jeju Island. The Isidore Development Association is a nonprofit foundation established by the late Father Patrick James McGlinchey in 1962 to promote livestock farming, improve pastures, and engage in social and educational projects. It operates facilities such as hospitals, hospices, senior centres, nursing homes, kindergartens, and youth centres for socially disadvantaged groups. Additionally, it manages St. Isidore Farm, well known for breeding and training excellent racehorses. The St. Isidore Farm is also known as a Catholic pilgrimage site.

4. Selection Criteria for Honored Racehorses : The KRA has established selection criteria for “Honored-Retired Racehorses” with the support of domestic racehorse owners' associations. The primary focus is on horses that have difficulties in finding second careers. The horse's racing accomplishments and narrative potential are also considered when applications are filed.

5. Current Residents : The 9-year-old gelding Cheongdam Dokki has been selected as the first resident. Born in Kentucky, he garnered many fans in Korea, earning over $3 million in prize money during his racing career. The racehorse Dongdaebulpae, a 17-year-old champion who has achieved three consecutive victories in the President's Cup, has also been selected as an honoured racehorse recently. He has been recognised as the Horse of the Year and awarded the title of Best Korean-bred Horse. Currently, there are three honoured racehorses, including Cheongdam Dokki and Dangdaebulpae, at Nonghyup Anseong Farmland, and one at Isidore Farm in Jeju, with plans to expand to a total of 20 horses.