Ranyoung Kim Award Plaque

PETA 10th Annual Gregory J. Reiter Award to Professor Ranyoung Kim

By Alysoun Mahoney | June 6, 2025 |

Congratulations to Professor Ranyoung Kim of Jeju Vegan, who has just received the 10th annual Gregory J. Reiter Animal Rescue Award from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), for her commitment to helping horses and other animals in South Korea.

My Elusive Dream in process of rescue

In early 2024, Professor Kim and Jeju Vegan worked with PETA investigators to stop a truck at the entrance to the largest horse slaughterhouse in South Korea, and persuaded the driver to release the filthy and malnourished mare he was hauling. After scanning the horse’s microchip, they discovered the horse to be American Thoroughbred former racehorse My Elusive Dream, sired by El Prado, the leading North American stallion in 2002.

My Elusive Dream and Professor Ranyoung Kim

PETA then worked with The Stronach Group, which had owned El Prado, to transport My Elusive Dream back to the U.S. for a permanent home in central Florida. The story was covered in a January 8, 2024 People feature Gentle U.S. Racehorse Rescued from Slaughterhouse in South Korea by PETA, and updated in the March 7, 2024 PETA blog From Korean Slaughterhouse to Freedom on a Farm, PETA-Rescued American Racehorse Has Safe Haven in U.S.

Golden Minister before rescue

Earlier this year, Professor Kim and Jeju Vegan rescued another former racehorse, Golden Minister, who was starving on an unlicensed farm where other horses had been illegally slaughtered. The Stronach Group worked with PETA once again, after learning that Golden Minister was the offspring of a horse they had owned, to transport him to retirement in Florida. Today Golden Minister is thriving on the same farm with My Elusive Dream.

Golden Minister and My Elusive Dream in Central Florida after rescue and rehab

PETA’s “K-Cruelty” Campaign has worked for years to expose and end many forms of cruelty toward horses in South Korea, and Professor Kim has been an indispensable partner in that work.

Professor Ranyoung Kim

On receiving the Gregory J. Reiter Animal Rescue Award, Professor Kim said: “I’m so touched to receive this honorable award. I was just doing my job helping you, and it was all worth it to see the rescued horses in a good home. My sincere thanks goes to PETA and Ms. Alysoun Mahoney. We will do our best to improve animal lives and create a vegan world by banning horse slaughter and establishing a horse welfare system in the near future. I will repay this award with my actions. Thank you again for supporting me and Jeju Vegan.”

Greg with Henry, May 2014

I, Alysoun, am also especially touched to partner with PETA in delivering this award. Greg left this earth at age 52 — but had he lived, he would be turning 62 today.

Caroline and me, Alysoun, June 2023

Greg had become particularly passionate about rescuing horses in the final years of his life. Together in 2014, we adopted two PETA rescue horses Henry, a former racehorse who passed away in 2022, and Caroline who still lives with me. In 2016 on my own and in Greg’s memory, I adopted Charlie, another former racehorse rescued by PETA.

Charlie and me, Alysoun, April 2023

It is such an honor that PETA recognizes a special animal advocate on Greg’s birthday every year — and especially this year, that this advocate has done so much to end the abuse of former racehorses!

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Previous recipients of PETA’s Gregory J. Reiter Animal Rescue Award have been:

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