Before the invention of batteries, magnets and plastic geegees, racing horses indoors was a very silly idea. And getting that manure out of the carpet would have been a nightmare. But thanks to Horse Racing Derby you can place your bets, scream your head off and enjoy the thrills and spills of a day at the races whenever you fancy. You won't even need a bag of oats.
Scoreboard
This nail-bitingly brilliant game is a real crowd pleaser and it's perfect for parties and office-based shenanigans. Simply select your favourite horse from the five at the gate, choose between two or three laps and hit start. Aaaaand there off!
And they're off!
As the gate opens, the magnetic geegees start galloping around in a highly amusing manner, accompanied by a delightfully daft blast of catchy music. At the end of each lap the top three horses are displayed on an electronic board in the middle of the track. It's just like being at the races, minus the tipsy toffs and idiotic millinery.
Put the stickers on
Connect the signs
Attach the lighting
And the winner is...
Unlike real racing the winner of each meet is completely unpredictable, so everyone who's had a flutter is in with a shout. Once you get into the swing of things you'll be yelling yourself hoarse (or should that be horse?), creating your own betting rules and even providing commentary in the style of that posh bloke who sounds like he's overdosed on energy drinks. You can also give your horses suitably random names à la the real thing. We just watched Endupasglue pipping Party Politics to the post in the Firebox Handicap.
As well as its place-your-bets brilliance, Horse Racing Derby is ideal for deciding on forfeits - ie: whoever wins the 3.30 Postroom Chase has to buy the coffees; whoever comes last has to drop their trousers and run through accounts humming Crazy Horses by the Osmonds.
Buttons
In fact, in terms of raw entertainment, Horse Racing Derby is in a photo finish with some of the most thrilling games out there. So giddy-up and hit the Buy button or we'll starttalkingreallyfastlikethatcommentatorbloke!
Packaging
Please note:
Racecourse lighting does not give off any light
Small screwdriver is needed for the battery compartment
Switch toy off before inserting batteries
Features:
Race up to 5 horses against each other
The starter gate actually opens and the horses burst out of the stalls
Race two or three times around the track (switchable)
The horses are pulled along by magnets discreetly positioned underneath the track to give the impression that the horses legs are actually galloping
There is a random winner each time to ensure everybody is kept on the edge of the seat
The final positions are posted on the built in LCD screen that is positioned in the middle of the track
Got this game 3 years ago and it still works fine best game ever made, great fun at parties and a nice little money spinner as well, don, t no why they don, t still make this at it would fly of the shelfs. Larry, Dublin - 25th November 2011
Firebox says: Hi Larry, great to hear that you like the Horse Racing Derby so much! Unfortunately, we think the manufacturers might have stopped making this game as we can't find anywhere that's selling it!
Ive been wanting to buy this since last year and up to now, its still out of stock. When will this be available? Jean, Leeds - 14th March 2011
Firebox says: Sorry Jean, we no longer sell this product and it has been discontinued for some time now. Sorry again.
This is just a great game, I wish they will make many more for each of the UK horse courses in the UK. Sophie, Leeds - 25th August 2010
Best game ever made, brilliant technology, highly recommended. Neil, Rotherham - 5th December 2009
Best game for the lads (and lasses) before a night out. Each pick a horse and the last one to come is does a Shot. Always random too so u never have the same winner. Amazes everyone that sees it and still makes everyone laugh all the time. Funniest thing ever when you have 10 people round a table cheering on their horse. Wicked game at great price. Lee French, Sunny Bracknell - 16th April 2008
What a brilliant game! Fun for adults & kids alike, it's a great unpredictable way to bet away drinks or sweets. We even got the horses to kick a malteser around the track whilst racing! Horse 2 won me a bonus choccy for a neat toe punt which crossed the line before the horses did. Looking forward to the Grand Irrational Vodka Shots Classic at the weekend (early to bed, children!). Ian Black, Lannian Cottage,Norfolk - 19th February 2008
EST. 1998
