Derby Museum schedules Eight Belles memorial

Eight Belles, who broke down following her second-place finish in the May 3

Kentucky Derby (G1), will be memorialized in a ceremony open to the public on

September 7 at 2 p.m. (EDT) in the Kentucky Derby Museum's garden.

“We hope our memorial service will serve as a lasting tribute to this great

filly, and remind every visitor who walks through our doors of the incredible

passion and ability she showed here in the Kentucky Derby," said Lynn Ashton,

Executive Director of the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Eight Belles' owner, Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm, accompanied by family

members will unveil a plaque honoring the filly during the ceremony. The plaque,

contributed by Churchill Downs, will be mounted under a magnolia tree where the

filly's remains will be interred.

“Eight Belles seemed to give me a look at the Keeneland sales that begged me

to be her owner," Porter said. "She blossomed as a race horse just when Hard

Spun retired. We will never forget her kind disposition. Now, she will rest in a

place of honor and her story will be shared with visitors from around the world

at the Kentucky Derby Museum. She was a magnificent steel gray filly who will

live in our hearts forever."

During the ceremony, additional remarks will be made by Mr. Porter along with

Eight Belles' trainer Larry Jones.

The ceremony will close with “Candle in the Wind," chosen by the Porter

family and performed by the local Briargate Presbyterian Church's bell choir.

The public is welcome to attend the event and no museum admission will be

required for the ceremony. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will

take place in the museum's Great Hall.

More information can be found at www.derbymuseum.org