Fred Best Classic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brisbane, Australia
| Class | Group 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Eagle Farm Racecourse Brisbane, Australia |
| Inaugurated | 1984 (as Courier Mail 2YO Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Mullins Lawyers (2025) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,400 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Three year old |
| Weight | Set Weights Colts and geldings – 57 kg Fillies – 55 kg |
| Purse | A$300,000 (2025) |
| Bonuses | Winner exempt from ballot for Stradbroke Handicap |
The Fred Best Classic is a Brisbane Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old, at set weights, over a distance of 1400 metres, held annually at Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane, Australia during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.[1] Prizemoney is A$300,000.
Name
The race is named in honour of former top trainer Fred Best (died 1990), who dominated Brisbane racing for 20 years into the 1970s.[2]
The race has its beginnings from the sponsor, Brisbane's newspaper The Courier-Mail, which sponsored a two-year-old race in 1984.[3] The race was not sponsored again by the newspaper until 1987, when the race was run for three-year-olds.[3] The race has seen many name changes.[4]
Trainer Peter Snowden holds the record with three wins in this race[4] (2008, 2010, 2012).
The race record is held by 2007 winner Gold Edition, who ran the 1,350 metres in 1.17.52.[4]
- 1984 - Courier Mail 2YO Stakes[3]
- 1986 - Channel Seven 2YO Classic[3]
- 1987–2001 - Courier Mail Classic[3]
- 2002 - Powerhouse Classic[3]
- 2003 – Wyndham Estate Classic[3]
- 2004–2005 – Richmond Grove Classic[3]
- 2006–2009 – BTC Classic
- 2010 onwards – Fred Best Classic[5]
Grade
- 1996–2002 – Listed race
- 2003 onwards – Group 3
Venue
- 1984–2016 - Doomben Racecourse
- 2017 - Eagle Farm Racecourse
- 2018 - Doomben Racecourse
- 2019 - Eagle Farm Racecourse
- 2020 - Doomben Racecourse