Best Horse Racing Board Games
Horse racing isn’t just for the track – it’s also for the kitchen table. Did you know that there is an entire niche of board games that center around horse racing? If you enjoy the sport, you don’t have to go very far to take part in (or bet on) the activity.
What are some of the top horse racing board games? There are a lot of board games that revolve around horse racing. In no particular order, nine of my favorite choices are:
- Long Shot: The Dice Game
- Winner’s Circle
- Win, Place & Show
- Ave Caesar
- TurfMaster
- The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game
- Ready Set Bet
- Talking Tables: Host Your Own Horse Racing Night
- Finish Line
Horses and board games are two of my favorite things. In my opinion, combining the two makes for a perfect evening! Keep reading to learn what each of these nine games brings to the (actual) table.
Horse Racing Board Game #1: Long Shot: The Dice Game
There aren’t many board games that can be enjoyed by a single player. That’s what makes Long Shot: The Dice Game so special – it can be played by anywhere from a single player up to eight players. As evidenced by its name, this board game utilizes a pair of dice to guide gameplay. The roll of the dice will reveal which horses get to move and the options available during each turn. Once three of the horses cross the finish line the earnings are totaled and the horse with the highest earnings is declared the winner.
This game is recommended for ages 14 and older, though many players note that those younger than 14 may also have fun with the game. Average playing time is estimated to be about 25 minutes. One thing I love about this game is the aesthetics – it’s an attractive game with colorful cartoon horse tokens. Click here for the current Amazon price: Long Shot: The Dice Game
Horse Racing Board Game #2: Winner’s Circle
The game Winner’s Circle has been around for decades and received somewhat of a revamp in 2001. The game utilizes both a single die and cards to advance gameplay, which involves betting on one, two, or more of the seven horses that are on the board. The game is played over three “races”, with the winner being the one who has gained the most earnings at the end of the race set.
There is a lot of strategy involved in Winner’s Circle, and the updated version includes the options of secretly betting and bluffing, which bring a whole new level of gameplay to the table. This game allows for anywhere from 2-6 players, is designed for ages 10+, and averages about 45-60 minutes in playing time. Click here for the current Amazon price: Winner’s Circle
Horse Racing Board Game #3: Win, Place & Show
A true classic, Win, Place & Show was first developed in 1966 and is still enjoyed today. The game consists of six different races. Each horse has individual strengths and weaknesses, as determined by one of the two dice. This allows for significant variation in how the races unfold, while still allowing for plenty of strategy on the part of the players.
Like the first two games mentioned, this one also utilizes an oval track as opposed to a straight board. It can accommodate 3-6 players and has been designed to be appropriate for those 8 years and older (though some players claim the game is a bit advanced for those under 12). One thing to keep in mind before opening the box – average playing time is about 2 hours, so leave plenty of room in your schedule for this one. Click here for the current Amazon price: Win, Place & Show
Horse Racing Board Game #4: Ave Caesar
Ave Caesar has been revamped several times since its 1989 inception – most recently in 2022. The game is unique compared to most other horse racing games as it involves chariot racing (in the Roman stadium Circus Maximus) instead of Thoroughbred racing. The game involves three laps around the course, with multiple restrictions and obstacles dotting the map.
At the end of the game, there is a pit stop in which a player must stop to ‘Hail Caesar’ before crossing the finish line. The game is fun and colorful, but the age recommendation is 12 and older. Younger children who are a bit mature may be able to play successfully as well – this is nothing but a general guideline. Gameplay should only take about 30 minutes and can accommodate 2-6 players. Click here for the current Amazon price: Ave Caesar
Horse Racing Board Game #5: TurfMaster
In TurfMaster, each player chooses a horse to play in a set of three races. Each player has a deck of 32 “movement cards” to utilize throughout the race set and a die is also used. Instead of taking individual turns moving, all horses have the potential to move up during each “turn”. It’s an exciting and fast-paced game that involves both strategy and chance.
In addition to the many options provided during gameplay, players also get to decide whether they want to use the flat racing option or steeplechases that will incorporate jumping (and additional rules and strategic opportunities). 2-8 players can play TurfMaster and the game is designed for those 10 and older. The average playing time is about 75 minutes.
Horse Racing Board Game #6: The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game
Though it makes for an interesting title, The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game gets its name from the “nasty” tactics that can be used to get ahead by the use of cards that can force another player to fall or take a drug test (in other words, sabotaging their game). You can also devise a winning strategy by betting on a horse other than your own, and playing your own horse poorly in order to better your chances of winning the game.
The game is full of strategy, though not the kind that is generally looked upon favorably! The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game can be played by 2-6 players, is recommended for ages 12 and older, and has an average playing time of 90 minutes. Click here for the current Amazon price: The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game
Horse Racing Board Game #7: Ready Set Bet
Debuting in 2022, Ready Set Bet is one of the newer horse racing games on this list. The game is played over four rounds, after which the earnings are totaled and the player who gained the most is deemed the winner. Movements are determined by the roll of the dice, and players can place bets at any time during the rounds.
This game is visually slightly different than most of the games on this list, as it utilizes a straight track as opposed to an oval board. 2-9 players can play Ready Set Bet and the game is designed for those aged 14 and older. It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to get through the four rounds. Click here for the current Amazon price: Ready Set Bet
Horse Racing Board Game #8: Host Your Own Horse Racing Night
Talking Tables: Host Your Own Horse Racing Night is a fun game to enjoy at a party. The game utilizes both dice and cards to move the race forward, and the winner is determined by the player who earns the most points. Points are gained through races, bets, and “fame cards.”
The game is a more recent addition to the niche and offers a QR code that can be used to watch a video tutorial, which is especially ideal for larger groups. The game is designed for ages 14 and older and can be played with 3 or more players (using teams instead of individual players for larger groups). Click here for the current Amazon price: Host Your Own Horse Racing Night
Horse Racing Board Game #9: Finish Line
Finish Line is another game that came out in 2022. Players use dice to move the race forward and bet over a set of three races. Where most of the other games here use two dice, Finish Line uses 27 dice to introduce a number of variables in each race. The player with the most earnings at the end of the three races is announced as the winner.
Finish Line doesn’t use a traditional track at all, but rather the horses are represented by cards that are placed in the middle of the table. This game is ideal for smaller groups, as it can accommodate between 2 and 4 players. The game is designed for ages 12+ and takes approximately 30 minutes to play through the set of three races. Click here for the current Amazon price: Finish Line
It’s Time for a Horse Racing Game Night
Next time it’s your turn to host a game night, I highly suggest you try one or two of these horse racing games. Though most of them revolve around betting, you do not need to use real money if you’d rather not – at my house, we use whatever we have on hand, including Hershey’s Kisses! If you really want to play into the theme, you can even decorate the table with roses and encourage guests to dress in their favorite Kentucky Derby-inspired attire. However big, or casual, you decide to take your game night, have fun with it and everyone else will too!
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