A memorial service for Eight Belles was held at the Kentucky Derby Museum's garden Sunday afternoon.

The ashes of the 3-year-old filly, who suffered fatal leg injuries while pulling up after finishing second in the Derby just four months ago, already have been buried under a tree near the track.

Eight Belles owner, Rick Porter, unveiled a plaque at the ceremony that is mounted under that same tree to honor the filly.

Porter and trainer Larry Jones spoke to a crowd of several hundred who came from all over the country to attend the service.

Many spoke highly of the horse which sold for $375,000 at the 2006 Keeneland sale.

Others used the opportunity to acknowledge how Eight Belles' death sparked an immediate debate about the safety of the horse racing industry and the changes that have already been put into place at tracks across the country, including at Keeneland.

On Saturday, Governor Steve Beshear signed an emergency rule to place in effect the anabolic steroids ban approved last month by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.