The Best Horse Race Board Games
Welcome to horse race board games. Every equestrian dreams of becoming a jockey one day, but until you get the chance these family-friendly board games are a fun alternative. Horse racing has been around for centuries as entertainment — so why not take it into your living room?
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best horse race board games feature quality game pieces, a decent-sized board, and easy-to-learn instructions. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks. For example, Across The Board’s Horseracing Game Top boasts a large board finished in a maple (or walnut) veneer. The game itself is a breeze to learn, even for kids. However, if you’d prefer something more portable for vacation game nights, the Hey! Play Wooden Horse Race Game is a worthy option. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks.
Across The Board Horseracing Game Top
The Across The Board Horseracing Game Top is a classic board game with stylish maple veneer and metal eyelets for extra durability. It measures 21.5 x 11.5 inches when unfolded, making it the perfect size for family or friends to play together. The twelve plastic/rubber composite horses are painted in bright colors that stand out against the wood base of this exciting horserace gambling-style game. All of its components were handmade in St Louis, Missouri, so each one has been crafted with care and attention by experienced artisans. The rules are pretty simple. Players line up their horses at the starting gate by dealing cards and taking turns rolling dice to randomly scratch some off in each round. Whichever horses stay on will race around a track on one side, building a pot as they go while players vie for the winner’s card. This game encourages social interaction with its fast-paced play making it perfect entertainment no matter what age group you’re playing with.
Pros:
- High quality and made in America
- Great game for 5 people or more
- Suitable for kids and adults
- Easy to learn
- Decent size
Cons:
- Horse pieces are plastic
Derby Day Horse Racing Board Game
Giddy up
The Derby Day Horse Racing Board Game provides a fun and interactive way for family and friends to enjoy time together. This vintage race game is great for parties, low-stakes gambling, or just having an enjoyable evening with your favorite people. The board game includes the essentials like a deck of cards, a pair of dice, and paper currency that makes it easy to participate without additional supplies. All ages can get in on the action – from kids who understand basic betting rules all the way up to adults. Everyone will enjoy hours full of nostalgic gaming delight — and maybe even win a few bets.
Pros:
- Charming retro design
- Wooden board and horse pieces
- Up to 12 players can participate
- Paper money is easier to use than the traditional poker chips
- Great for Kentucky Derby-Themed parties
Cons:
- Fragile board is not for young children
FINENI Horse Racing Board Game
Only the best
The FINENI Horse Racing Board Game is great for anyone looking to escape into their own horseracing world. The set comes with 11 pieces of luxurious, durable metal horses in 4 colors – gold, silver, black, and bronze, as well as a real cherry wood game board complete with rose gold cards and a pair of dice. Players can challenge friends or family at this engaging horse racing game, which will keep them entertained for hours. We think it’s an ideal gift during the horse race season.
Pros:
- Solid wood board
- Durable and display-worthy game pieces
- Incredible quality overall
- Great looking for parlors and family rooms
Cons:
- Expensive but worth it
Hey! Play! Wooden Horse Race Game
Affordable fun
The Hey! Play Wooden Horse Race Game is ready for your next family night. The game is easy to understand, yet still has enough rules that can be customized if you want to play with money or poker chips. Constructed from MDF wood materials, this game will last for years of fun. The sturdy Horse pieces move effortlessly along the race without them falling off constantly, ensuring every race is full-on excitement. Up to 8 players can join, and kids 6 and up will have no problem taking on their parents and siblings.
Pros:
- Excellent value
- Smaller size is great for family road trips
- Luck based, so no real skill is needed
- Decent build quality, considering the price
- Comes with everything you need to play
Cons:
- Packaging it comes in is flimsy, so you may need to store the game elsewhere
Photo Finish Racing Parlor Game
Extra large, extra fun
The Photo Finish Racing Parlor Game is the perfect addition to any social gathering. It brings a unique level of excitement and hilarity as players cheer on their favorite colored horse in friendly competition. There are even side ‘bets’ that can be placed if you’re feeling extra daring. The game includes handcrafted, colorfully painted horses, a spill-proof track board, and high-quality die and jockeys that will last through many rounds of fun-filled gaming sessions. Plus, the rollout board lets you place it practically anywhere, even outdoors.
Pros:
- Huge playing area
- Quality pieces
- Great for big groups
- Excellent replay value
- Challenging game, but not hard to learn
Cons:
- A bit overpriced
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have horse race board games been around?
Horse race board games have been around since the 19th century. The earliest known horse racing game is thought to have originated in France sometime between 1800 and 1810.
What are the rules for horse race board games?
Horse race board games are a fun, competitive way to spend an afternoon with friends. To begin the game, each player is usually assigned their own horse. The game’s goal can vary depending on what version you’re playing and how many players there are, such as arriving first at the finish line or reaching a designated amount of money by betting on other horses during races throughout the gameplay. Each round consists primarily of rolling dice, which will determine your horse’s movement across multiple tracks filled with obstacles that have both positive and negative effects; these could range from random bonuses (extra die rolls) all the way to setbacks like being sent back.
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