Giddy Up: Alice Springs Cup Carnival’s Huge Success
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has welcomed the outstanding success of the 2025 Alice Springs Cup Carnival, which saw increased attendances and field sizes, along with record prizemoney of more than $1.2 million.
The five-day carnival’s success reinforces the significance of the racing industry in the Red Centre and strengthens the Territory’s reputation as a top racing and tourism destination.
The Cup Day attendance alone was more than 1,100, up 30% on last year, while there were 531 nominations across the five days – the most since 2016.
Minister for Racing Marie-Clare Boothby said the Alice Springs Cup Carnival was a key event on the racing and sporting calendar, offering a true Central Australian experience.
“This year’s increased field sizes show just how much people value and support racing in the Northern Territory, and events like the Carnival provide a great boost for not only Alice Springs, but also the broader racing industry,” said Ms Boothby.
“This sport drives visitation and economic growth and supports local businesses, with the NT racing industry as a whole contributing more than $157 million to our economy each year, which is a figure we are committed to increasing.
“The Cup being broadcast nationally and internationally also provided a great platform to showcase the Territory to a broader audience.”
Ms Boothby said the government’s ongoing commitment to reducing crime, rebuilding our economy, and restoring our lifestyle was putting the Territory back on the map as a top choice for visitors, with the carnival’s benefits extending beyond racing.
“Tourism is so important for events such as the races in Central Australia, which also provide a great opportunity for visitors to explore everything the Red Centre has to offer during their stay,” said Ms Boothby.
Alice Springs Turf Club Chair Andrew Maloney said: “The 2025 Alice Springs Carnival proved to be a huge success, and I can’t thank my staff and committee enough for their efforts.”
“I would like to acknowledge Racing Minister Marie-Clare Boothby and governing body Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory for their commitment to racing and allowing the club to go back to the traditional May long weekend in 2026, which has the potential to go to another level again,” he said.
Further demonstrating its commitment to the sport, the CLP Government is conducting a strategic and operational review of the entire industry, in partnership with racing participants.
“This review is a key step towards ensuring a strong and sustainable future for our racing industry and will maximise the economic and lifestyle contributions of the industry across the Territory,” said Ms Boothby.
Recommendations from the review will be considered in the coming weeks with further updates to follow.
“We promised Territorians a year of action, certainty and security, and we look forward to working together to ensure racing remains a strong, sustainable and celebrated part of our Territory lifestyle,” said Ms Boothby.
The eight-day Darwin Cup Carnival kicks off on Saturday, 5 July, culminating with the Darwin Cup on Monday, 4 August.
The Tennant Creek Cup will be held on Saturday, 17 May and the Katherine Cup is on Saturday, 16 August.
https://nt.gov.au/