On 4 April 2025, the eve of the Grand National, the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket is opening a brand-new exhibition entitled Horseplay, showcasing over 50 rare and antique board games that bring the racecourse to the tabletop in an intriguing and creative way. The games are on loan to the Museum from a private collection, and the exhibition is thought to be the largest display of horseracing-themed board games ever opened to the public. Visitors will find all the thrills and spills of being at the races, without actually stepping on the turf.

The games on display range from a wooden box with a hand crank dating from 1880, to a madcap drinking game where nobody can visit the loo before a 'pee break' card is drawn. Others include antique playing cards, a board game endorsed by a Hollywood legend and another invented by a famous composer. Visitors follow a Grand National-themed racetrack through the exhibition, rolling a giant dice to proceed, and pausing at interactive stations named after the jumps at Aintree.  Along the way, people can view the antique and contemporary games, and have a go with playing on replicas.

Horseplay recreates the larks, japes and capers that can be had with everything from simple dice and playing cards to more complex games, demonstrating how games are an antidote to screen time, can create happy experiences where family and friends come together, and are inclusive of everyone, whatever their age or ability. What's more, you don't need a power supply to shake a dice or move a counter.

WHERE TO STAY

Visitors to Newmarket can stay nearby. Within walking distance of the Museum is Bedford Lodge Hotel and Spa, a luxury, refurbished Georgian hunting lodge set within three acres. The hotel has an award-winning 2 AA rosette restaurant and guests have access to the leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. One night's B&B for two costs from £135.

A great day out for all the family, game highlights from the new exhibition include:

The Old - Ascot The New Racing Game dates from 1880 and has a unique method of determining the winner. It comprises a large wooden box with eight horses attached with wires. A hand crank on the side of the box connects to the horses by a variety of turning gears, which result in a different horse winning the race. Players bet on which horse will win.

A Hollywood Hero - The Crosby Derby! was made in 1947 by H. Fishlove & Co. and was endorsed by the famous singer (and his friends). Bing Crosby loved horses and bought his first racehorse in 1935. The board game features the top racehorses of the era, and the box cover pictures Bing Crosby and a photo of horses racing, while the contents include the game board, odds chart, a deck of 70 playing cards, toy money, tickets, and five miniature race horses. 

Spin some Vinyl – Foto Finish was made in the 60s using a vinyl record (a picture disc) with race commentary, which results in a different winner depending upon where the needle lands.  One player is elected to be the bookmaker and offers odds, and the other players then bet on the race.

Grandparent of Modern Gaming – Totopoly dating from 1938 uses a double-sided board that enables competitors to trade horses, train and practice for the big day, before flipping the board to embark on a lap of the racecourse itself.  Some claim it to be the 'grandparent of modern gaming'.

Composed by a Composer - And they're off was designed in 1993 by a syndicate including composer Andrew Lloyd Webber; players back horses at a series of race meetings to try and win the most money. Movement cards are turned over one at a time and the corresponding horse moved forward one space until the race is won.

Table Games – Escalado, from 1928, is an English tabletop horseracing game. Up to six 'jockeys' have a metal horse, and one player acts as the bookie. Players then place wagers on the five coloured horses, which race across a mechanical vibrating track. The player with the most money is the winner.

A Japanese Apple - Apple Horse Race Roulette dating from 1900 is a Japanese horseracing game that fits inside a painted apple.  Parts include a wheel, wooden 'marble' and six game tokens. The wheel sits on a stake and can be spun inside the bottom of the apple.

Drinking Game - Black Beauty Downs dates from 1987 and is a party game where no one is allowed to visit the loo until the 'pee break' card is drawn. Players roll the dice to move their horse around the track, often landing on spots causing other players to drink.

Tickets for the National Horseracing Museum (www.nhrm.co.uk) which includes access to Horseplay cost £15, children under 16 are free of charge. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am to 5pm. The Museum is easily accessed by car, train and bus. The exhibition will run until the end of the year. 

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Note to Editors: Since 1983, the National Horseracing Museum has celebrated Newmarket's status as the historic home of horseracing. This 350-year-old relationship is explored through stunning works of art, contemporary sculptures and breathtaking architecture, through to equine science, some of the world's most famous racing trophies and unique bronzes and artefacts. Using the latest interactive and audiovisual displays, the Museum also takes a different look at the Sport of Kings, examining the physical attributes of the elite equine athlete and the importance of the thoroughbred pedigree. The economic contribution of horseracing to the UK economy alone is estimated to be about £3.5billion, with over 85,000 jobs supported by the industry.

A selection of high-res images of some of the games on display is at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ruGvyr38BLhbzYNLZFOb-c16AJD4XGtK?usp=drive_link

PRESS ENQUIRIES:         

Julia Spence, Natalie Postlethwaite, Hugh Collins or Fliss Hoad

JSPR

Tel: 01491 824524 or mobile 07802 443113

Email: juliaspence.pr@gmail.com