Why has the gaming commission and tracks have allowed Bourgault, with his documented history of violence and violations, to continue racing and why New York taxpayers are forced to support the harness racing industry with $100 million in subsidies every year?
Harness racing (stock photo)
New York State Police arrested harness racing trainer Frederick Bourgault for allegedly beating a horse named Finish Line so violently that he had to be euthanized. Bourgault was charged with two felonies: interference with or injury to certain domestic animals and criminal mischief in the second degree.
The incident reportedly took place in mid-July 2023 at Pine Bush
Training Facility in Pine Bush, New York. PETA was informed of the
alleged beating by former trainer Mike Petrelli and immediately
contacted the police.
Finish Line’s body, which had been buried on the training facility’s
property, was exhumed and sent to a laboratory for a necropsy.
Photos supplied by Mike Petrelli showing the exhumation of Finish
Line
The Violent Track Record of Trainer Frederick Bourgault
Bourgault, who has trained horses forced to race at Tioga Downs and
Monticello Raceway, was suspended in 2020 by the Alcohol and Gaming
Commission of Ontario in Canada for beating a horse who had placed
fifth in a race. He has a long history of violations in New York
state and has been fined and/or suspended for kicking horses and for
excessive use of the whip.
In 2022, the New York State Gaming Commission fined Bourgault for
whipping a horse after a race and directed him to take an anger
management course. In April 2023, Bourgault was again fined for
excessive whipping.
Frederick Bourgault is a repeat offender who should have been booted
from racing years ago, the first time he whipped a horse after a
race was over.
PETA questions why the gaming commission and tracks have allowed
Bourgault, with his documented history of violence and violations,
to continue racing and why New York taxpayers are forced to support
the harness racing industry with $100 million in subsidies every
year.