Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced in a release through his official social media channel that on Monday, April 7, Frederick Bourgault was 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, New York.
The indictment charged Bourgault, 27, with Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree for having “damaged” a racehorse named Finish Line that had an estimated value of at least $5,000. It was alleged that Bourgault struck the horse with a hard object causing a linear depressed skull fracture, which resulted in the horse having to be euthanized. The indictment also charged Bourgault with Interference with or Injury to Certain Domestic Animals, a felony under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Act, for willfully and unjustifiably injuring or destroying a racehorse. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2025.
The New York State Police, aided by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and New York State Gaming Commission, engaged in an investigation into the death of the horse. The investigation included having the horse’s remains exhumed and examined by experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The New York State Gaming Commission provided expert witnesses and assisted in coordinating the arrest of Bourgault by the New York State Police.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police, BCI Middletown, for their investigation and the arrest of Bourgault, and the New York State Gaming Commission for their assistance and support of the arrest and prosecution.
“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. My Office will continue to utilize all legal resources available and work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that crimes like these are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent under law.”
“The New York State Gaming Commission is proud to work closely with law enforcement to protect horses and hold those who abuse them accountable,” said Sarah Klein, Director of the Gaming Commission’s Division of Horse Racing. “We are grateful for the work of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Police in delivering justice for Mr. Bourgault’s crimes.”
Hoovler highly commended Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Borek and Assistant District Attorney Roger Dean who prosecuted the case.
Bourgault, originally from Quebec and now a resident of New Hampton, New York, is not licensed to race Standardbreds in Canada. Bourgault has not raced in Canada since 2021 when he was issued a two-year suspension by the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario for misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of racing after engaging in an act of animal cruelty. Bourgault's Standardbred Canada membership was subsequently suspended indefinitely for charges of abuse or neglect of an animal.
(With files from Orange County District Attorney's Office)