| Group 3 race | |
| Location | Eagle Farm Racecourse Brisbane, Australia |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1984 (as Courier Mail 2YO Stakes) |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Mullins Lawyers (2022) |
| 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$250,000 (2022) |
| 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$250,000.
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]