Territory Thoroughbred Racing’s Ladbrokes Triple Crown underwent a significant change in 2023 with the concept set to be rolled out once again for 2024 .

The Ladbrokes Triple Crown has to date been the domain of three-year-olds attempting to win the three major Carnival features – Darwin Guineas, Ladbrokes NT Derby and Great Northern Darwin Cup – in the same year.

Only two horses have ever achieved the treble, Brinney in 1989 and Ventilago in 1996.

The Triple Crown will once again open up to all-aged gallopers under the rebranded title of the Ladbrokes Territory Treble, with the $100,000 bonus on offer to the connections of the horse which can win the Ladbrokes Alice Springs Cup (Sunday 7 April), Chief Minister’s Cup (Saturday 13 July) and the Great Northern Darwin Cup on Monday 5 August.

“History has proven It is extremely difficult to have a three-year-old take on the older horses in the Darwin Cup and to extend over the 2050m distance,” Ladbrokes Executive Director of Stakeholder Engagement Karl deKroo said.

“We viewed the Treble as a great opportunity to revitalise the concept and increase the probability for the bonus to go off.  It is also a chance for Ladbrokes to underline our commitment to the sustainability and growth of racing in the Territory.

“This new concept still provides a significant challenge to win all three Cups, but it feels far more achievable and has the added benefit of engaging both the Red Centre and Top End. It is to be hoped that Darwin Cup-bound horses will now also place the Ladbrokes Alice Springs Cup on the agenda – it has the potential to provide a very exciting climax to the Darwin Cup Carnival.”

Darwin Turf Club CEO Grant Dewsbury added that the likelihood of the Treble, under the previous criteria, was an “outside chance”, but now becomes a very real possibility with the three Cups up for grabs with horses all focused in lead-up preparations for the Darwin Cup.

“This is a great new concept and will only add to an already exciting Darwin Cup Carnival and one which could see only the third horse in history taking out the $100,000 bonus,” Dewsbury said.

“We appreciate the flexibility Ladbrokes have shown to support this concept, which really serves to strengthen the carnivals both in Darwin and Alice Springs.”

Alice Springs Turf Club Chair Andrew Maloney added that he welcomed the involvement of the ASTC in the revised Triple Crown concept.

“It builds upon an already strong relationship between the two major NT Clubs and continues the association with Ladbrokes as our Major Sponsor and supporter”, Maloney said.