A man from Canada has been convicted on all counts related to the beating death of a racehorse at an Orange County training facility in 2023.

Frederick Bourgault, 27, of Canada, was convicted of second-degree criminal mischief and felony interference with or injury to certain domestic animals, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler said Wednesday.

The charges stem from the July 17, 2023 death of a racehorse named “Finish Line” at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the town of Crawford. Bourgault is accused of striking the horse with a hard object, causing a skull fracture that led to the horse being euthanized.

An investigation into the horse's death included members of the New York State Police, the Orange County District Attorney's Office and the New York State Gaming Commission. Experts at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine exhumed and examined the horse's remains. The New York State Gaming Commission assisted in the arrest of Bourgault and provided expert witnesses.

“The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant’s senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf,” Hoovler said in a statement. “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.”

Sarah Klein, Director of the Gaming Commission’s Division of Horse Racing, said she was proud of the Gaming Commission's partnership with law enforcement on the case.

Bourgault is set to be sentenced on July 7.