APPARATUS FOR A BOARD GAME

Abstract

This invention provides apparatus for a board game relating to horse racing and to the racing industry in particular, simulating activities relating thereto, both on and off the track. The apparatus comprises a board, place markers, simulated bank notes and outcome generating means. The board has markings depicting first and second horse racing courses which represent respective lower and higher levels of racing. The courses are arranged as inner and outer rectangles surrounding an enclosed area. Each course comprises a plurality of discrete place marker landing zones defining for receiving player place markers according to outcomes generated by the throw of dice.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for a board game relating to the horse racing industry and simulating activities relating to horse racing.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Board games are known for various situational simulations, including horse racing. In the latter case, a known game is governed by the throw of dice and simply moving place markers representing racing horses along an oval racecourse having a number of parallel marked tracks divided into an equal number of individual spaces. One unit of a dice throw represents one space. Competitors race until passing a winning post. This is equivalent to various other racing games. This prior game is somewhat one-dimensional, as it is focused solely on the racing event aspect.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to address the shortcomings of the prior art and, in doing so, to provide apparatus for playing a game relating to the horse racing industry and not just to the race course and a racing event.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of the present application.

Further, and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense—that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not being limited to”—as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense meaning “including this and nothing else”.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention provides board game-playing apparatus for playing a game involving at least two players, the apparatus comprising a board having a major surface, a plurality of differentiated place markers, tokens of monetary value, and outcome generating means, the board major surface having markings, said markings defining graphical representations of first and second horse racing courses, the first and second courses representing respective lower and higher levels of racing standard, each course comprising a plurality of discrete place marker landing zones defining areas to be occupied by place markers of players in the game according to outcomes generated using said outcome-generating means.

The tokens of monetary value preferably simulate banknotes of different denominations.

In a preferred form of the invention, the apparatus comprises a set of written rules according to which a horse racing game is to be playable using the apparatus. Preferably a rule in the set of rules is applicable to an outcome generated with the outcome generating means.

In an embodiment of the invention, the graphical representations are applied to a surface adapted to receive the sets of place markers. The surface is preferably adapted by comprising a planar surface for each place marker landing zone. In an embodiment, the landing zones are coplanar.

In an embodiment, the outcome generating means comprises random number generating means. In an embodiment, the random number generating means comprises a die. In an alternative embodiment, the random number generating means comprises spinner means. In a further embodiment, the spinner means comprises a roulette-style wheel having divisions for receiving a dropped ball.

In a preferred form of the invention the apparatus further comprises a pack of cards. In a further preferred form of the invention, the pack comprises at least two separable decks. Preferably, the board is marked with an area designated for receiving at least one of the decks.

In a preferred form of the invention, the landing zones are categorised, each category relating to an outcome for a player whose place marker lands on a categorised zone.

In a still further preferred form of the invention, a first category of zones is associated with transition of a player's horse from one course to another.

In a yet further preferred form of the invention, the race courses are arranged as inner and outer rectangles surrounding an enclosed area, the second race course being surrounded by the first race course.

Further, according to the invention, the enclosed area comprises a marked deck-receiving area.

In an embodiment, one place marker landing zone is marked to define a starting zone from which play must commence. Preferably, the starting zone is a zone of the first race course.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for use in playing a board game relating to the horse racing industry, the kit comprising: a board having a major surface, a plurality of differentiated place markers, tokens of monetary value, outcome generating means and a set of rules according to which said game is to be played, the board major surface having markings, said markings defining graphical representations of first and second horse racing courses, the first and second courses representing respective lower and higher levels of racing standard, each course comprising a plurality of discrete place marker landing zones defining areas to be occupied by place markers of players in the game according to outcomes generated using said outcome-generating means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures. Thus:

FIG. 1 shows in plan view a preferred embodiment of the board of the apparatus of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the game to be played using the apparatus is for a player to race his selected horse up through various levels of thoroughbred horse racing, to achieve the status of “Champion Race Horse”, earning money along the way. During the playing of the game, the player may buy and sell assets in assorted business enterprises associated with the racing industry, whilst amassing or losing personal wealth derived from race prize money, asset acquisitions, and wagers with the tote or a bookmaker.

Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, a board marked out for use in playing the game is denoted by the number 10. It has a first, generally centrally located zone 12 surrounded by four rows of rectangular courses 14, 16, 18, 20, differentiated by colour. Each course is divided into a series of discrete functional landing spaces 24 for receiving player place markers, for showing the board position held by each player in the game.

Each course represents a particular level of racing rather than a particular race course. The outermost course 14 represents a low, entry level racing environment, course 16 a higher level (in this example the Group 3 level), course 18 an even higher level and course 20, championship level, the highest of the levels available. The courses are differentiated by colour in this embodiment, course 14 representing the level referred to as ‘City Class’, course 16—Group 3, course 18—Group 2, and course 20—Group 1. The game concludes when one of the player horses achieves ‘Champion Race Horse’ status, or when an agreed time for termination is reached. Preferably, in the latter case, a timer is set. When the set time expires, the game concludes at the end of the current round being played. All asset values and cash are counted and the player with the highest equity is declared the winner.

Each course is divided into a series of discrete landing spaces 24, having different allocated functions and marked with selected indicia to show the designated function of each space. In this embodiment, the courses are of different lengths, being divided into landing spaces of equal size across all. It is envisaged that other embodiments of the apparatus of this invention may have side-by-side courses equal in their number of divisions, so that the divisions are largest in the outer-most course and smallest in the inner-most course. In still further embodiments, each of the courses may comprise a total number of divisions unrelated to its relative position with respect to the central zone.

The apparatus comprises a set of cards, each card differentiated on its face by means of the marking indicia. The set comprises a number of decks of cards, which will be described below.

A first deck comprises cards each of which denotes a category of race horse differentiated by the category of racing distance it specialises in running. For example the proposed categories are Sprinter—Middle Distance and Middle Distance—Stayer. These cards provide certification and reminders to the respective players of the category of horse with which they have selected to participate. The category of a horse determines the races in which a horse may compete and the prize money that it may therefore win.

The board has a first placement zone 26 on which a second deck of cards (not shown) is placed to be available for players to draw from. In this embodiment a deck of racing cards is placed on zone 26. The racing cards relate to the racing aspect of the horse racing industry and simulate situations that arise in connection with actual racing.

The game begins with the players nominating their horse category and obtaining the corresponding certification card from the first deck, described previously. A consequence of a player's choice of horse category is this: Selecting a Sprinter—Middle Distance horse will not allow a player to collect prize money for example in the famous Australian stayers' race, The Melbourne Cup, which is run over a distance of 3200 m. Selecting a Middle Distance—Stayer horse will not allow a player to collect prize money in for example the “Hong Kong Cup”, run over the much shorter distance of 1600 m. A Sprinter—Middle Distance horse can collect Star Prize Money in feature races run up to and including 2040 m, whilst a Middle Distance—Stayer collects Star Prize Money in races run over 2040 m and longer. Both categories of horses can collect Star Prize Money in the “W. S. Cox Plate”, run over 2040 m in Australia.

After deciding the horse category, a player selects their unique from the pool of place markers and “lines up” in the Starting Barriers, located in one corner zone 30 of the board, marked G in course 14, allocated to the lowest category of racing.

A plurality of player place markers, corresponding to the number of participating players, is provided. The player place markers are marked with a primary or first indicium to identify the player's horse with which it is associated. The indicium could be any one of racing colours, shape, text, size, height, logo or symbol applied and the like.

The following equipment is required and is provided in kit form:

• • 1. A set of rules for playing the game, the set of rules comprising an illustration of the board. The rules provide for player moves to be governed by the value being the outcome of the throw of the dice. The value thrown determines the rate of progress along the course in use.
  • 2. The game board, having marked on it a rectangular central area surrounded by a series of rectangular course lanes, each representing a level of racing competition differentiated by colour. The individual courses are divided by means of a grid pattern into 176 place marker landing zones, or ‘squares’ (even though they may be of any other suitable shape).
  • 3. A deck of cards relating to assets or showing instructions for players
  • 4. Simulated banknotes for the players to use in transactions in the game
  • 3. Dice
  • 4. Place tokens or place marker

Optionally, dice and placement tokens may be excluded for the players to supply. The rules may be provided in writing in hard copy or may be downloadable using an internet URL contained in the kit.

The apparatus of this invention will allow for management of training and preparation of a horse for competing in races and thereby rising up the levels of participation.

By way of example, the game may be played as follows: Dice are thrown by each player to decide which the order in which the players will commence play. The player with the highest number goes first and so on down the order. If two or more players throw the same number, they must throw again to decide their order, not changing the collective position they held in the original throw. Racing positions can be critical during the course of the game, as they can dictate who gets priority with situations that arise during play.

The player determined to commence throws the dice and moves his counter the applicable number of discrete zones, or ‘squares’, according to the number thrown on the dice. The other players throw and move in the determined order, around the course, adhering to the requirements of each square on which they may land.

When a player lands on an asset purchasing zone indicating an asset that may be purchased if available, they are under no obligation to buy the asset, but must adhere to any payments or fees pertaining to that asset, as set out by indicia marked on the zone.

Each player is allocated $1,888,885 at the start of the game. At commencement, all assets are owned by the game's Racing Authority, which is responsible for collecting all fees relating to each asset, until it is purchased by a player. The player then takes over responsibility for collection.

When a player's counter is moved by throw of the dice to a square or zone associated with a particular deck of cards, the player concerned is obliged to draw a card from the relevant deck. The decks are located in centre zone 12 of the board. The decks are designated: “RACING”, at location 26 on the board, “HAVE A BET” at the board location marked 34 in FIG. 1, “STAR PRIZE MONEY” (at location 36) and “PRIZE MONEY” (at location 38).

When a card drawn from the Racing deck requires a player to move their horse place marker forward_(e.g. “Track Good 4—Forward 2 places”), that player must adhere to any instructions, including taking advantage of any opportunities on the square they move to, as they would in the normal course of the game. Whether the outcome of landing turns out to be an asset purchase, Prize Money, Have A Bet or Racing, the horse, as represented by the player's place marker, continues to “race” until it has finished moving forward through the instructions given on the card drawn.

If a card drawn requires a player to move their horse back (e.g. “Jockey—Falls—Back 4 places”), only that instruction has to be adhered to and any instructions on the square retreated to are not acted on, having no relevance in the play. On the initial circuit, a horse/place marker can only move back as far as the starting barriers square.

In progressing along the course in order of throw, the horse place markers land on the various assets that can be purchased by the players. When purchasing any asset, the players pay the Racing Authority the purchase value shown on the asset square and collect the relevant asset card from a deck of asset cards, to confirm their purchase and title to the asset. Purchasing related assets (explained further below) enables a player to enhance the fees they are able to charge. The purchase price (or asset value) of an asset is shown on the relevant zone or square on the board and on the corresponding asset card. The asset card also shows any fees applicable to that asset and the equivalent fees applied if held in conjunction with any related asset.

There are 14 assets available for purchase during the game. They are as follows:

1× Bookmaker Licence

2× Training Stables

2× Stud/Spelling Farm

2× Feed and Supplement supplier businesses

2× Veterinary Clinics/Practices

2× Transporter Companies

3× Stallions

There are three groups of related assets:

Stud/Spelling Farms—Stallions

Training Stables—Veterinary Practices

Transport Companies—Feed/Supplement Suppliers

The Bookmaker Licence has no related asset and no mortgage value but doubles in portfolio asset value on purchase. When the Bookmaker Licence is on-sold, it maintains its original portfolio value.

When landing on an asset square 22 during the course of the game, a player is able to purchase that asset from the Racing Authority, if it hasn't already been purchased by another player in the game, or it is currently under mortgage. The purchasing player then becomes owner and receives all future fees payable by any other players that land on the asset, wherever it may appear around the board in the various levels of racing. All fees paid prior to the purchase remain the property of the Racing Authority. No fees are payable by the player who purchases the asset when available.

If the player does not or cannot purchase the asset, all fees applicable must be paid to the existing owner, whether that is the Racing Authority or another player.

Mortgaging or Selling an Asset

A player in need of cash and wishing to liquidate an asset, but who cannot find a buyer amongst the other players, may mortgage that and any other asset to the Racing Authority for half the face value (that is, 50% of the purchase price). The Racing Authority then becomes the owner under mortgage and collects all fees payable by all players including the mortgagee. If the original owner wishes to reclaim the asset from the Racing Authority, they must again pay the full asset purchase price to the Racing Authority even though they had mortgaged it for only 50% of its original value.

When a player who goes bankrupt is ruled to be out of the game. Any assets held by the bank for the bankrupt player become available for purchase by the remaining players as per the initial manner of landing on the relevant asset square on the board and purchasing it from the Racing Authority for the full face value. If a player wants to buy an asset from another player, then the minimum price to be paid by the purchasing player must be at least 20% higher than the original purchase price. A player may want to buy an asset to enhance their asset portfolio and must therefore be prepared to pay a premium to obtain it. But, the asset value remains as per the card, irrespective of the price the new owner purchased it for.

Racing Cards

Cards in this deck, positioned on the board at location 26 (see above), relate to the race section of the industry with references to the Horse—Jockey—Track—Bonuses etc. In this deck, there are 4 “Second Chance” cards, as well as 2 “Sell Your Horse” cards (City Racing only) and 1 “Syndication” card (Group Racing only). When a “Second Chance” card is drawn from the deck by a player whose place marker has landed on a square marked with the word “Racing” and a representation of a horse's head 42, it is held by the player and can be used when attempting to move to a higher level of racing or to the Champion Race Horse enclosure 44.

When nearing completion of a circuit of any of the courses 14, 16, 18, 20, irrespective of the level of racing, a player needs an exact numerical throw to land on the GO TO square 46, to progress to the next level, or at Group 1 (Gold) 20, to move to Champion Race Horse 44 and thereby finish the game. If, on the normal throw of the player concerned, they are unsuccessful, they may surrender a “Second Chance” card to the bottom of the Racing Card deck and attempt a second throw. The number scored on second throw must be adhered to so that if it is unsuccessful, the player must undertake another circuit of the same course, before any other “Second Chance” card may be used. Even if the second chance throw did not take the player past the GO TO square 46, only one second chance may be attempted for each circuit made of the course by a player. Another circuit must be undertaken unless the player throws the exact number required on their next turn, if the second chance throw did not take them past the GO TO square originally.

On drawing a “Sell Horse” card from the Racing Card deck 26, a player must immediately sell their horse to the Racing Authority, if the horse is racing in City Class racing (course 14). The player collects $300,000 and starts from the barriers 30 again. If a player draws this card whilst competing in Group Racing (courses 16, 18, 20), the card is discarded and placed at the bottom of the deck and play continues with the next player.

Syndication

If a player draws the Syndication Card from the racing deck 26, whilst competing in course 14 “City Racing”, it is also discarded to the bottom of the deck and play continues with the next player. If this card is drawn by a player whose horse is racing in Group Racing, at any level, then the player must offer 10% shares to any other players to a maximum of 40% (4 shares). Any player that would like to buy a 10% share in the horse must pay the owner $100,000 if the horse is racing in Group 3 , $200,000 if racing in Group 2 and $300,000 if Group 1, and from there on proportionately share all future expenses and prize money. Share options are offered to the players in order of throw. The first player has first right of refusal and so on down the order. No player in a syndicate can purchase more than 10% of another horse. Only through a syndicated player or players becoming financially unviable can any another player gain more than the 10% they originally purchased when the syndicate was first formed.

When a player in a syndicated horse cannot meet their expenses of the horse, their share is automatically absorbed proportionately amongst the remaining shareholders. There is no equity in owning a racehorse or having a share in another. Consequently, after the initial share purchases, no horse can have their shares traded. The only benefit to the owners (players in the syndicate) is in race prize money and the opportunity of having a wager on the horse if they so desire.

Stallions are an asset and can be sold and traded like any other asset. A syndicate member, who is unable to meet their expenses for a particular syndicated horse, must relinquish their share and return to racing their own horse only. If they cannot meet the expenses of their own original horse either, they are declared bankrupt and are out of the game.

When a major shareholder (original owner) in a syndicated horse becomes bankrupt, and is out of the game, any expenses owed on a syndicated horse by a forfeiting member must be paid by the remaining syndicate ownership. In a syndicated horse all shareholders can bet on the horse individually if they desire. Only one HAVE A BET card (form the deck located at 34) may be drawn by the player racing the horse on behalf of the syndicate. Whichever player races a horse on behalf of a syndicate, the horse must always race in its original position in the order of throw.

Performed Horse Cards

The Racing deck (position 26) further includes two cards marked “Performed Horse”. Each provides the player who draws such a card with an opportunity to purchase another horse to race. If drawing the $1 million Performed Horse card, a player pays the bank $1 million and selects another horse token from the remaining pool and commences racing from the “GO TO” square 46 in the Group 3 course 20 on the board. Racing at Group 3 level will begin at the player's next turn. The additional horse purchased races after the player's other horse in the original order.

If drawing the $2 million Performed Horse card the same process is followed, except the horse commences racing from the GO TO square 46 in Group 2 course 18. After paying $2 million to the bank and selecting another horse place marker or token, the selected horse starts racing at Group 2 level at the purchasing player's next turn and again after that player's original horse has been dealt with.

The asset value of each additional purchased horse is their purchase price. Therefore $1 million and $2 million can be added to the respective portfolio value by owning either or both of these horses, and the respective deck cards drawn are held by the purchasing player as an “Asset” card verifying ownership.

Only one pair of Performed Horses is available for purchased during the course of a single game, but those horses can be sold or traded to another player in the same way as all other assets. The asset value for the portfolio, if a Performed Horse is on-sold, is the actual price negotiated, not the original purchase price, unlike other assets. Therefore unlike normal assets, these assets can be sold lower or higher than their original $1 m and $2 million price tags. The relevant Racing card goes with the sale for verification of title. The player acquiring a Performed Horse gets to nominate a horse racing category for their purchase.

Prize Money Cards

When a player lands on a prize money square 48, a card is selected from the PRIZE MONEY deck (located at position 38) which shows the prize money gained in the level of racing they are competing in, whether it is City—Group 3—Group 2 or Group 1. That value of prize money won is then collected from the Racing Association, acting as banker. There are 49 cards in this deck, 6 each relating to race finishing places 1 to 8, plus 1 blank card that starts at the bottom of the deck.

All four decks of cards placed on the board in zone 12 have a blank that is placed on the bottom of each deck at the start of the game. When a blank card reaches the top of its deck during the course of the game, that deck is shuffled and the game continues with the blank card once again at the bottom of the deck. If a player throws a double number (1-1 up to 6-6 inclusive) and lands as a result on a prize money square 48 in any level of racing, they may draw the topmost card from the Star Prize Money deck and be paid the face value by the Racing Association.

Unlike the Prize Money deck, Star Prize Money cards in the deck placed at area 36 on the board represent only 1st, 2nd or 3rd placings in feature races at leading race clubs around the world, whether these be in England, Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. These cards allow a horse to “compete in” and gain prize money in feature races irrespective of the level at which the horse may currently be racing, as long as the category of the race corresponds with that of the horse.

When a player throws a double number (1-1 or 2-2 etc.) to land on a prize money square 48, they may also draw a card from the STAR PRIZE MONEY deck, thereby giving them a chance of a win or a placing and higher prize money, provided the player draws a card with a race in the category they selected for their horse at the start of the game or when purchasing a Performed Horse. As explained above, a horse categorised as “Sprinter—Middle Distance” cannot collect prize money in races conducted over more than 2040 metres. Similarly, a “Middle Distance—Stayer” horse must forfeit any prize money for races conducted over less than 2040 metres. Star Prize Money cards are colour coded according to applicable horse category. Cards applying to the race known as the “W. S. Cox Plate” are coded in both colours, as this race is open to horses in either category.

Have A Bet Cards

When landing on a HAVE A BET square 50, a player may elect to bet with the Bookmaker or Tote. Before selecting a card from the deck placed at area 34, a player must declare the value and details of the bet (“Win”, “Each Way” or “Place”) and nominate the agent they wish to bet with. The player then pays the selected agent the amount of the wager and draws a card from the deck. If the horse has won or runs a place, the odds of the selected agent will be shown on the card face, along with the comparative odds for the other agent not selected. If the card shows the word “unplaced”, then all bets are lost and all money wagered is forfeited to the betting agent selected.

If a player elects to bet a win and the HAVE A BET card drawn is for a place only, then again the bet is lost. Similarly if a player bets a win only, any place dividends on any card drawn are not included in any calculations. This too is the case if the bet is for a place only: No “win” dividend is included. There are three 4th place concession cards for both betting agencies, where the bet is cancelled and all money refunded. The concession must be in the name of the agency chosen in the betting process with that agent refunding all bets whether a single bet or a number of syndication wagers.

The Bookmaker Licence

Unlike the assets in the game, the Tote will always be run by the Racing Authority and may not be purchased by any player. Therefore, until the Bookmaker Licence asset is purchased by a player landing on a bookmaker square 52 during the course of the game, the Racing Authority conducts the affairs of both betting agencies. On being purchased, the Bookmaker Licence asset immediately doubles in value, but cannot later be mortgaged like other assets. When a player who has purchased the Bookmaker Licence finds themselves unable to pay debts or wagers incurred, the Licence may be sold to the highest bidder amongst the other players. Irrespective of the selling price negotiated, the Licence retains its original double valuation. If no other player wishes to buy the Licence, it is returned to the Racing Authority to once again run both betting agencies. The Bookmaker who sells or relinquishes the Licence must still pay all debts. Therefore, if that player has no further cash or assets to sell to cover their debts, they are declared bankrupt and are out of the game.

The player in the role of Bookmaker is under no obligation to take any bet they consider a risk to their financial stability, and can instead offer a reduced wager to the punter, that the Bookmaker considers a more viable risk. All bets must be paid for before drawing a HAVE A BET card. No player is allowed to bet without cash or to mortgage an asset to cover a bet. A player is allowed to sell or mortgage an asset to obtain cash and may gamble with that money at the player's next or later turn. Any odds shown include the wager. Once the Bookmaker Licence has been purchased by a player, all Bookmaker squares 54 are considered as HAVE A BET squares, except that only the Bookmaker can be selected in the betting process by a player landing on a Bookmaker square. If the Licence is returned to the Bank at any stage of the game the Bookmaker squares revert to their original status each time.

These embodiments merely illustrate particular examples of the apparatus of the invention providing means with which to play a board game simulating horse racing and participating in the horse racing industry at large. With the insight gained from this disclosure, the person skilled in the art is well placed to discern further embodiments by means of which to put the claimed invention into practice.

Claims

1. Board game-playing apparatus for playing a game involving at least two players, the apparatus comprising a board having a major surface, a plurality of differentiated place markers, tokens of monetary value, and outcome generating means, the board major surface having markings, said markings defining graphical representations of first and second horse racing courses, the first and second courses representing respective lower and higher levels of racing standard, each course comprising a plurality of discrete place marker landing zones defining areas to be occupied by place markers of players in the game, according to outcomes generated using said outcome-generating means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a set of written rules according to which a horse racing game is to be playable using the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a rule in the set of rules is applicable to an outcome generated with the outcome generating means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the graphical representations are applied to a surface adapted to receive the sets of place markers.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the surface is adapted by comprising a planar surface for each place marker landing zone.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the landing zones are coplanar.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outcome generating means comprises random number generating means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the random number generating means comprises a die.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a pack of cards.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the pack comprises at least two separable decks.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the board is marked with an area designated for receiving at least one of the decks.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the landing zones are categorised, each category relating to an outcome for a player whose place marker lands on said zone.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a first category of zones is associated with transition of a player's horse from one course to another.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a second category of zones is associated with an opportunity of purchasing an asset in accordance with the game.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 comprising a zone marked as representing an opportunity to purchase a bookmaker licence as a game asset.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a third category of zones is associated with an opportunity for a player to place a bet relating to the game.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the race courses are arranged as inner and outer rectangles surrounding an enclosed area, the second race course being surrounded by the first race course.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the enclosed area comprises a marked card deck-receiving area.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the board major surface comprises markings representing four courses of different respective racing standard.

20. A kit for use in playing a board game relating to the horse racing industry, the kit comprising: a board having a major surface, a plurality of differentiated place markers, tokens of monetary value, outcome generating means and a set of rules according to which said game is to be played, the board major surface having markings, said markings defining graphical representations of first and second horse racing courses, the first and second courses representing respective lower and higher levels of racing standard, each course comprising a plurality of discrete place marker landing zones defining areas to be occupied by place markers of players in the game according to outcomes generated using said outcome-generating means.

21. The kit of claim 20 wherein the landing zones are categorised, each category relating to an outcome for a player whose place marker lands on said zone.

22. The kit of claim 21 wherein a first category of zones is associated with transition of a player's horse from one course to another.

23. The kit of claim 21, wherein a second category of zones is associated with an opportunity of purchasing an asset in accordance with the game.

24. The kit of claim 23 comprising a zone marked as representing an opportunity to purchase a bookmaker licence as a game asset.

25. A kit according to claim 20, further comprising a pack of cards.

26. The kit of claim 25 wherein one of the cards has markings identifying it as providing a syndication opportunity governed by the set of rules.

27. The kit of claim 25, wherein at least one of the cards has markings identifying it as providing a player with an opportunity of purchasing an additional horse asset to race.

28. The kit of claim 27 wherein the pack contains no more than two cards with said markings providing a player with an opportunity of purchasing an additional horse asset to race.