Continuing their annual tradition, Larry Birkhead and his daughter Dannielynn Birkhead stepped out to the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3
Dannielynn, 18, paid tribute to her late mother, Anna Nicole Smith, by wearing some of her jewelry to the event
The teen paired the gold pieces with a pale green strapless tulle dress by Mac Duggal
For the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Larry Birkhead’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead chose some special accessories.
On Saturday, May 3, the 18-year-old — whom Larry, 52, welcomed with the late Anna Nicole Smith — honored her mom by wearing some of her jewelry to the horse race. The sweet tribute comes after the teen wore one of Smith’s dresses — a backless, floor-length design — to the annual Barnstable Brown Gala on Friday night.
For Saturday’s race, Danielynn gave off ’50s prom vibes in a seafoam green strapless tulle dress by Mac Duggal. The floor-length look featured ruffled tiers and ruffles along the bodice. The teen topped off her look with a large gold pendant necklace, a gold watch, a series of gold bangles and a feather-trimmed fascinator.
Larry coordinated with his daughter in a cream suit paired with a light blue dress shirt and colorful patterned tie.
Chatting with PEOPLE on the red carpet, Larry joked about how the duo’s annual tradition of attending the Kentucky Derby together — and putting on their fashion best for the crowds — continues to “ramp up” each year.
Acknowledging that people now look forward to seeing what Dannielynn will wear, Larry explains: “With that expectation, you have to ramp up the outfits each time. And as they ramp up, you know it gets more expensive too and it’s a lot of work.”
When it came to choosing her look for this year’s event, Dannielynn tells PEOPLE she just “eeny, meeny, miny, moe’d it” as her dad showed her various options because she had become so “tired and fed up” with the process.
Larry says they ultimately found a winner in the Mac Duggal gown. “This is a cool dress, and it looks great on her. And she’s got her mom’s jewelry on and a new dress,” he notes.
Dannielynn reveals that this was the first time she has worn her mom’s necklace and bangles.
Larry Birkhead/Instagram
Dannielynn and Larry Birkhead at the 2025 Kentucky Derby
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Related: Anna Nicole Smith’s Daughter Dannielynn Marks Her 18th Birthday with Beetlejuice-Themed Celebration
Back in September, when Dannielynn turned 18, proud dad Larry posted photos on his shared Instagram account with Dannielynn showing them attending the Beetlejuice Afterlife Experience in Los Angeles to celebrate her birthday.
“Dannielynn had a great time celebrating her 18th birthday with friends and family by attending the @beetlejuiceafterlife.exp and @beetlejuicemovie which made for an out of this world experience,” Larry wrote.
“Of course, Dannielynn found a Hot Topic store to get a spooky outfit for all the fun! 😆 Happy 18th Birthday Dannielynn!” he added, referencing his daughter’s all-black, gothic-style outfit.
Within the carousel of photos and clips, Dannielynn posed in front of the ocean in her birthday ensemble with the sunset behind her, while a further shot showed her posing with a man dressed as Beetlejuice.
Last year at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, Dannielynn and her dad attended the event together — an annual tradition for the pair — and posed for photos before heading to the racetrack.
“On the way to @kentuckyderby with Dannielynn after a great night at the Barnstable-Brown Gala and quick morning haircut or two,” Larry began the caption of a post on Instagram, highlighting his daughter’s trimmed hairdo.
“Dannielynn’s dress was inspired by her favorite character Hino Eiji, Kamen Rider OOO TaJaDor combo -she made me write that 😆 – because that character had the same shoulders as the design of the dress she found! 🤷♂️,” he continued, making note of the teen’s attire.
“Hey whatever works, just trying to spend a little quality time as this weekend of traditions come to a close,” Larry then concluded.
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