Frederick Bourgault, 27, of Canada, has been convicted of all charges against him in connection with the beating death of a racehorse on July 17, 2023, at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford.
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler said the indictment charged Bourgault, a horse trainer, with second-degree criminal mischief for having “damaged” a racehorse named Finish Line, which had an estimated value of at least $5,000. Bourgault was found guilty of striking Finish Line with a hard object fracturing its skull. As a result, the horse had to be euthanized.
The indictment also charged Bourgault with interference with or injury to certain domestic animals, a felony, for willfully and unjustifiably injuring or destroying a racehorse.
The investigation, conducted by the New York State Police aided by the District Attorney’s office and state Gaming Commission, included having the horse’s remains exhumed and examined by experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
“The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant’s senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf,” said Hoovler. “We will not, as a civilized society, allow abusers to bring harm to helpless animals.”
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7.