It's a crowd that rarely comes to a standstill, but a sombre silence filled Thoroughbred Park on Sunday in memory of Canberra track work rider Riharna Thomson.
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The young rider died on Friday from critical head injuries sustained after a fall at the race track.
In a statement read at Canberra's Black Opal Stakes on behalf of Ms Thomson's family, race chaplain Reverend Colin Watts thanked the racing community for the "beautiful respect, support and love given to us in the past week."
"It was clear to us that you all love and respected Riharna," the statement read. "Your show of support meant so very much to us in this extremely difficult time."
Thomson fell from the horse Chosen Prayer after the mare broke its leg in a freak accident on Tuesday.
Reverend Watts read a prayer before a minute of silence concluded with a tribute played on the big screen.
Mourners consoled each other as the presentation played to the song 'Memories of Us' by Keith Urban.
Reverend Watts said the loss was too fresh for Ms Thomson's family to attend Sunday's races but they were touched by the outpouring of love for Riharna.
Jockeys wore black arm bands while some racegoers pinned blue ribbons to their outfits as a tribute.
Canberra Jockey John Kissick held back tears as he spoke of Ms Thomson and her love of horses.
"She was just a lovely person, it is a tragic loss," he said.
"Hopefully all of us here today can live on in her memory the way she would have wanted."
Racing friend Trish Buchanan said she and much of the close-knit racing community felt emotionally drained since the tragedy, but came together on Sunday to celebrate Ms Thomson's life.
"She was just a beautiful person," Ms Buchanan said. "Very mature for her age, intelligent, just beautiful."
Thoroughbred Park Marketing Director Briony Young said many racegoers spent the day sharing fond memories of Ms Thomson.
"There is a different atmosphere here today, it is all so raw and fresh," she said.
"I would see her every day, like most people who work here. She was shy, but always had a smile on her face."
Ms Young said Thoroughbred Park would hold a memorial service for Ms Thomson next week and would arrange a bus to take members of Canberra's racing community to her funeral in Tamworth.
