The Fred Best Classic is a Brisbane Racing Club Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three years old, at set weights, held annually at either Eagle Farm Racecourse over 1400m or at Doomben Racecourse over 1350m, Brisbane, Australia during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
History
The race is named in honour of former top trainer Fred Best (died 1990), who dominated Brisbane racing for 20 years into the 1970s.
The race has its beginnings from the sponsor, Brisbane's newspaper The Courier-Mail, which sponsored a two-year-old race in 1984. The race was not sponsored again by the newspaper until 1987, when the race was run for three-year-olds. The race has seen many name changes.
Trainer Peter Snowden holds the record with four wins in this race (2008, 2010, 2012 and 2019).
The race record for the 1350m journey is held by 2007 winner Gold Edition, who won in 1.17.52. In 2019 Military Zone won in 1:22.06 over the 1400m at Eagle Farm.
Name 1984 - Courier Mail 2YO Stakes 1986 - Channel Seven 2YO Classic 1987–2001 - Courier Mail Classic 2002 - Powerhouse Classic 2003 – Wyndham Estate Classic 2004–2005 – Richmond Grove Classic 2006–2009 – BTC Classic 2010 onwards – Fred Best Classic
Grade 1996–2002 – Listed race 2003 onwards – Group 3
Other venues Doomben Racecourse 1984–2016 (1350m) 2018 (1350m) 2020 (1350m) 2025 (1350m)
Winners The following are past winners of the race.
2026 - Regal Award 2025 - Spicy Martini 2024 - Roll On High 2023 - Hawaii Five Oh 2022 - Vilana 2021 - Apache Chase 2020 - Dawn Passage 2019 - Military Zone 2018 - Perast 2017 - Niccanova 2016 - Counterattack 2015 - Najoom 2014 - Havana 2013 - Platinum Kingdom 2012 - Mental 2011 - Skilled 2010 - Stryker 2009 - Court 2008 - El Cambio 2007 - Gold Edition 2006 - La Montagna 2005 - Gumnuts 2004 - Gallieni 2003 - Proudly Agro 2002 - Tellson 2001 - Marlina 2000 - Cryptavia 1999 - Mr Innocent 1998 - Staging 1997 - Crafty Beau 1996 - Proud Player 1995 - Chief De Beers 1994 - Ferragamo 1993 - Affirmed Star 1992 - Social Rule 1991 - Committal 1990 - Jonaron 1989 - Spot The Rock 1988 - race not held 1987 - Mirraben 1986 - Christopher 1985 - race not held 1984 - Bonne Princess
See also Kingsford-Smith Cup Lord Mayor's Cup (BRC) Premier's Cup (BRC) Queensland Derby Sires' Produce Stakes (BRC) Stradbroke Handicap List of Australian Group races Group races
References