Frederick Bourgault sentenced to two to six years in prison.

Bourgault had been convicted of all charges after trial.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, July 7, 2025, Frederick Bourgault, age 27, of Canada, was sentenced to two to six (2 to 6 ) years in prison in   connection with the beating death of a racehorse on July 17, 2023, at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford.  On April 7, 2025, Bourgault was convicted after a trial of all the charges against him in connection with the killing of  the horse. Bourgault was convicted of  Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree for having “damaged” a racehorse named “Finish Line,” that had an estimated value of at least five thousand dollars.  At the trial prosecutors argued that  Bourgault struck the horse with a hard object causing a linear depressed skull fracture, which resulted in the horse having to be euthanized.  Bourgault was also convicted of  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. 

Orange County Court Judge Richard Guertin sentenced Bourgault to two to six (2 to 6) years in prison for Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and one and one-third to four (1 1/3 to 4) years in prison for Interference with or Injury to Certain Domestic Animals. By law the sentences must run concurrently. The District Attorney’s Office recommended the maximum sentences authorized by law of two and one-third to seven (2 1/3 to 7) years in prison for Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and a concurrent sentenced of  one and one-third to four (11/3 to 4) years in prison for Interference with or Injury to Certain Domestic Animals.  In addition, Bourgault was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,000.

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. 

On June 25, 2025, Bourgault pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the Second Degree for having attempted to cause physical injury to a woman using her cellphone.  Bourgault  is scheduled to be sentenced on October 2, 2025. The People placed on the record at the time that Bourgault pleaded guilty on that case that they would be recommending a state prison sentence.

At the sentencing proceedings on July 7, 2025, prosecutors reminded the defendant that under an Orange County Local  Law knows as “Rocky’ Law,” he must register with an Animal Abuse Registry maintained by the Orange County Sheriff within five days of his release from custody.

“The Orange County Legislature’s legislative findings when it passed Rocky’s Law stated, ‘The Legislature … finds and determines that individuals who abuse animals are statistically more likely to commit violent acts against humans and, in particular, the Legislature also determines that a strong correlation has been established linking individuals who abuse animals with incidents of domestic violence,’ and, I cannot agree more with that assessment,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant’s senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf.  My Office will continue to  work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that crimes committed against intimate partners, and animals, are investigated and appropriately prosecuted.”

On the day that Bourgault was convicted, Sarah Klein, Director of the Gaming Commission’s Division of Horse Racing said, “The New York State Gaming Commission is proud to work closely with law enforcement to protect horses and hold those who abuse them accountable. 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.”

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Borek and Assistant District Attorney Roger Dean who prosecuted the cases against Bourgault.

This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.