The stars were aligned for this year’s Barnstable Brown Gala!
On Friday, May 2, a day before the 2025 Kentucky Derby, celebrities including Simone Biles, Selma Blair and Aaron Rodgers attended the 36th iteration of the annual event, which is held in Louisville, Ky.
Dierks Bentley, Tracy Morgan, Mickey Guyton, Scott Stapp and Travis Tritt were also in attendance, as was TJ and John Osborne of Brothers Osborne and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook.
Larry Birkhead and his daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead — whom he shared with the late Anna Nicole Smith — similarly attended the event, which they’ve been a staple at in recent years.
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Chris Barnstable-Brown, one of the event’s organizers, tells PEOPLE that the event was “meaningful” for Biles, 28, who was joined by her husband, Jonathan Owens, and her mother, Nellie Biles, who is a Type 2 diabetic.
“My daughter, Catherine, is a Type 1 diabetic, and Nellie and Catherine were comparing their continuous glucose monitors they both wear as a ‘fashion accessory,’ ” he says.
Rodgers, 41, meanwhile, “was flanked by many of his former teammates, all of whom are incredibly loyal to him,” Chris adds, further detailing, “He posed for a picture with his crew before hitting the back and jamming out.”
As for music at the event, Chris tells PEOPLE, “The performances were nonstop.” Some of those who performed included Boyz II Men and Joey Fatone, among others.
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The Barnstable Brown Gala was founded by twin sisters Patricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla Barnstable, along with their mother, Wilma Barnstable, and Patricia’s late husband, Dr. David E. Brown.
The annual event — which sees stars across entertainment, news and sports come together to celebrate one of horse racing’s biggest moments — takes place at Patricia’s home.
To date, the Barnstable Brown Gala has raised and donated over $21 million — including $1 million from the 2024 gala alone.
All proceeds benefit the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby took place a day later on Saturday, May 3, at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Sovereignty took home the first place title alongside jockey Junior Alvarado. The horse, who was trained by Bill Mott, won the race with 7-1 odds. Journalism (3-1) came in second, Baeza (13-1) placed third and Final Gambit (17-1) earned the fourth place spot.
“It’s more than even a dream come true,” said Alvarado, who suffered an injury weeks ago that set him back, during the event broadcast.
Mystik Dan, who was trained by Kenny McPeek, won last year’s Kentucky Derby at 18-1 odds.
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