Canadian Man Sentenced to Several Years in Prison For Death of Pine Bush Racehorse

A Canadian man has been sentenced to years in prison in connection to a death of a racehorse in Orange County back in June 2023.

Finish Line The Racehorse Struck and Killed in Crawford, NY

ESPN reported that back in July of 2023 Frederick Bourgault, harness racing trainer from Canada was accused of striking a horse named Finish Line at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford.

They go on to add that Bourgault was "accused of striking the horse with an unspecified hard object, causing a skull fracture that resulted in the animal being euthanized."

The Canadian trainer had also been fined in the past for kicking a horse and for excessive use of the whip.

PETA senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a statement to ESPN at the time:

"Bourgault is a repeat offender who should have been booted from racing years ago and banned the first time he whipped a horse after a race was over.

Now, several months later, the Orange County DA has announced the sentencing of the Canadian trainer.

Orange County DA Announces Prison Sentence For Canadian Horse Trainer

In a statement shared on social media on July 8th 2025, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Frederick Bourgault was sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison.

The sentencing is in "connection with the beating death of a racehorse on July 17, 2023, at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford."

Bourgault was convicted of the following:

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."

Interference with or Injury to Certain Domestic Animals - "for willfully and unjustifiably injuring or destroying a racehorse."

In the statement DA Hoovler writes:

 “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.”

You can read the full statement and charges below:

Bourgault to Register with Animal Abuse Registry in Orange County, New York

In Orange County there is a local law known as Rocky Law. According to the County, Rocky Law is an online registry for those convicted of animal abuse.

Rocky Law "aims to prevent those convicted of animal cruelty from adopting, purchasing, or otherwise obtaining animals from any entity involved in the exchange of animals by adoption, sale, or other means."

In the statement released by DA Hoovler at sentencing proceedings the defendant was reminded that under Rocky Law he "must register with an Animal Abuse Registry maintained by the Orange County Sheriff within five days of his release from custody."