Arrest Made in Bourbon County Animal Cruelty Case

The Bourbon County Sheriff's Office arrested Xavier Mcgrapth on charges of second-degree animal cruelty April 13 in connection with two dead and nearly a dozen malnourished horses discovered on a farm Mcgrapth leased for a boarding and training operation.

Mcgrapth is out on a $2,000 bond and has yet to be arraigned, according to the Bourbon County Circuit Court Clerk's office.

"On the afternoon of April 13, 2021, Xavier Mcgrapth, who is a suspect in an active investigation involving equine in Bourbon County, came into the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office for an interview. Upon conclusion of the interview, Mcgrapth was arrested on an active warrant that was tied to the same case," stated a press release from the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office. "The Bourbon County Sheriff's Office and the Bourbon County Attorney's Office are working closely together to bring this case to a close. At this time, all horses involved have been removed from the farm and have been relocated to facilities to best suit the care they need."

Bourbon County deputy major Brent Wilson said Mcgrapth came into the sheriff's office voluntarily and that no other arrests are anticipated at this time.

"However, we have to keep in mind that this is an active investigation," Wilson said.

Mcgrapth, 24, and a resident of Versailles, Ky., leased property off Brentsville Road outside Paris, Ky., beginning last year for a business he named Whispering Creek Thoroughbreds.  

According to public records, the sheriff's office was contacted by one of Mcgrapth's clients, Alyssa Evans, who said there were two dead horses in a paddock on the property. Deputies inspected the farm March 19 and found the dead horses along with 23 others, of which 11 were determined to be malnourished or severely malnourished.

Approximately 15 owners had horses with Mcgrapth, including New York owner/breeder Blaine Gerow, who said he and many of the other owners have contacted attorneys and are exploring their options for pursuing legal action either individually or collectively.

Gerow's homebred 4-year-old Kastanyas  arrived back in New York April 1, and he said the filly is gaining weight. She had been sent to Mcgrapth as a layup where she was supposed to have time to mature more and get conditioned.

"She's doing better but I don't know if she can ever race again," he said.