CRAWFORD, N.Y. — A 27-year-old Canadian man has been sentenced to two to six years in prison for killing a racehorse at the Pine Bush Training Facility in 2023, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced.
Frederick Bourgault was convicted on April 7 of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree and Interference with or Injury to Certain Domestic Animals, both felonies, in connection with the death of a horse named Finish Line. The horse was found to have suffered a linear depressed skull fracture after being struck with a hard object, and was later euthanized.
The fatal incident occurred on July 17, 2023. Prosecutors argued during trial that Bourgault’s actions were deliberate and caused damage exceeding $5,000. He was sentenced on Monday to concurrent prison terms of two to six years and one and one-third to four years.
Judge Richard Guertin also ordered Bourgault to pay $5,000 in restitution. The District Attorney’s Office had recommended the maximum sentence of two and one-third to seven years.
The case was investigated by the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the New York State Gaming Commission. The investigation involved exhumation of the horse’s remains and forensic examination at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Bourgault also pleaded guilty on June 25 to Attempted Assault in the Second Degree for an unrelated incident involving a woman and her cellphone. He is scheduled to be sentenced in that case on October 2, and prosecutors have stated they will recommend a state prison term.
