Grand National Derby

About this board game

Grand National Derby is a steeplechase horse-racing game for 2–5 players that plays in about 30 minutes. Each round represents a fence, and players must judge which horses are most likely to survive the race.

At the start of play, players place bets on the horses. They then place speed cards on the horses, using values from 0 to 9. Once every horse has a speed card, the horse showing the lowest speed card is eliminated from the race.

The race continues across five rounds. After the fifth round, three horses remain, and players are paid for their bets on the surviving horses. Bets made earlier are worth more, creating a balance between committing early and waiting for better information.

• Bet on horses before speed cards are played.
• Use speed cards numbered from 0 to 9.
• Eliminate the horse with the lowest speed card after each fence.
• Settle bets when three horses remain after five rounds.

Grand National Derby is the precursor to Titan: The Arena, later known as Colossal Arena, as well as Galaxy: The Dark Ages. Its design focuses on betting and elimination rather than special abilities or surprise effects: there are no special powers, special cards, or secret bets.

In games with four or five players, each player receives four bets. If two or more horses tie for the lowest speed card when a round ends, the tied horse furthest to the left is eliminated. Play does not continue through a tie, making each card placement and every bet matter throughout this compact racing game.