Loved ones of an apprentice jockey who died after falling at a Victorian racecourse have detailed their grief in the Melbourne County Court.
Mikaela Claridge, 22, was riding alongside Jaimee Hayes during pre-dawn trackwork on the sand trails of Cranbourne Training Complex on August 30, 2019, when the riders' horses were spooked and both women fell about 4.35am.
Ms Hayes landed on her knees while Ms Claridge sustained critical head injuries and died at the scene.
Ms Claridge's employer, Saloon Park Pty Ltd, was found guilty by a County Court jury last month of failing to provide a safe working environment.
It came after the conviction of Cranbourne Turf Club, which operated the training facility, over the incident.
Victim impact statements from Ms Hayes, along with Ms Claridge's parents, brothers, and partner, Chelsea Hall, were read to the court during today's mention of Saloon Park's case.
Ms Hayes detailed in a statement the discussion she and Ms Claridge had as they headed out for what would be the Ms Claridge's final ride.
"We spoke about how dark it was, there was no moonlight at all," she said.
The statement detailed the harrowing moments after the pair fell.
Ms Hayes said she found her riding companion and "best friend" unconscious and rushed to get help.
"My heart was racing and I felt like I couldn't breathe," she said.
Ms Hayes described feeling like life couldn't go on after Ms Claridge's death.
"I'll remember her in my heart always."
'No words can explain'
Ms Claridge's mother, Colleen, described her daughter as a person who loved to support and encourage others.
She said "no words can explain" the impact of her daughter's "avoidable death".
"People say it gets easier, but more than two years on it hasn't," Mrs Claridge said in a statement.
Mikaela's father, Bernie, echoed her sentiments in his victim impact statement.
"I have lost a beautiful caring daughter through no fault of her own," he said.
Jack and Karl Claridge said they were the "closest of friends" with their younger sister.
"Since her death, I feel like a key part of myself just isn't there," Karl said.
Concerns over fine
Judge Peter Rozen flagged a fine would be issued to Saloon Park Pty Ltd when the company was sentenced next month, but "the figure shouldn't be understood as anyone as the worth of the life of Mikaela Claridge".
"Her life was, of course, priceless," Judge Rozen told the court.
Defence lawyer Robert Taylor, raised concerns over Saloon Park's capacity to pay the fine.
Mr Taylor told the court if the company was fined the same as Cranbourne Turf Club, to the tune of $250,000, it would likely require Saloon Park Pty Ltd to declare insolvency.
Mr Taylor said the company held "a very deep sense of regret" over the death of Ms Claridge.
Saloon Park Pty Ltd will be sentenced on May 5.
