A Cranbourne Horse Training Complex has been fined after a 22- year -old apprentice Jockey was thrown from her horse in 2019.
On Friday the 5th of May, County Court judge Peter Rozen said the accident was “clearly preventable”, stating that cost-free measures could have been made that would have prevented the incident.

Judge Rozen sentenced the company for “failing to provide or maintain a system of work that was safe and without risks” 
At 4:30 am on the 30th of August, 2019, the apprentice jockey was thrown from her horse during track work with her fellow rider, Jamiee Hall.

The pair were on the sand trails of Saloon Park when their horses had become disturbed. Ms Hall was unharmed, but Ms Claridge was fatally injured.

Work Safe inspectors observed the scene of the accident, finding several features including overhanging tree branches and water spillage onto the track.

It was also found that the sand trails had no lighting, and wildlife had frequently been seen on the track due to the Cranbourne Botanical Gardens being nearby.
This resulted in an investigation into Saloon Park’s practices, and charges with several offences against the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic).

On March 20, 2023, Saloon Park pleaded not guilty to one charge of contravening Sections 21 of the OHSA. A jury found Saloon Park guilty on the 28th of March due to failing to prevent riders from being exposed to risk or serious injury.

The proceeding took place attended by Claridge’s family and friends. Judge Rozen read victim impact statements. Claridge’s mother, Colleen said “No words can even begin to explain the feeling I have. It’s like an empty hole inside of me. Mikaela was my world. She was my family’s world.”
“We all know racing is dangerous, she knew that too”.

The Judge read that the riders were ‘fearful of raising safety concerns” as apprentices.
Judge Rozen also found measures were “readily available to eliminate or reduce risk.  These included prohibiting its employee track riders from riding horses on the sand trails in the dark” and that “Ignorance is not grounds for failure to comply”
“While it is not possible to eliminate all risks, there was no cost associated with change.”

The Judge said that Saloon Park lawyer, Robert Taylor, said the company would likely “declare insolvency” if the fine was issued.
The Judge also stated that Saloon Park had both a “good reputation” and “good corporate character”

But Judge Rozen said that employers cannot “wait until they receive a complaint about a safety issue before they take action.”, with a message to employers stating that failure to eliminate safety risks will result in significant punishment.

CTC was given six months to pay the fine with conviction.


This report was based on a real court case in my Media and The Law course
Score: HD