Guide to Taunton Racecourse
Before Great Leighs/Chelmsford (2008) and Ffos Las (2009), Taunton had the title of Britain’s youngest racecourse.
Racing had taken place in the general vicinity since the 18th Century, but the first official meeting at the current site in Orchard Portman didn’t take place until 1927. The title of ‘youngest National Hunt only’ racecourse remains.
Despite being nestled in the heart of the Somerset countryside, access from the M5 motorway is convenient.
The racecourse is a couple of miles south of the town centre on the B3170, towards Corfe and Honiton. Parking is in a field adjacent to the main entrance, behind the grandstand.
Fifteen or so meetings take place each year between November and the end of April and include a festive fixture between Christmas and New Year.
They are usually on weekdays, although weekend racing can be found on a couple of occasions in January and February.
The layout means viewing from the concourse area is excellent, whilst the parade ring and winners' enclosure are also in front of the grandstands.
There is a feeling of friendliness and intimacy, giving the racegoer a sense of being very close to the action without having to move very far.
The sharp nature of the course contributes to a higher-than-standard ratio of fallers, one of the highest.
Type of Racing: National Hunt Only
Highlights: Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed Race) at the Christmas/New Year fixture.
TV Channel: Racing TV
Bookmaker Streaming Services are Available from Bet 365, Betfair and William Hill.
* All statistics below are based on the previous five years at Taunton
Taunton Outright Favourite Statistics
- Handicap Chases: 45-102 (44%) +27.33
- Handicap Hurdles: 57-163 (35%) +8.49
- Non-Handicap Chases: 5-9 (56%) +0.23
- Non-Handicap Hurdles: 55-110 (50%) -8.98
Taunton Racecourse Map
The track is a right-handed oblong circuit, sharp and mainly flat in nature.
Taunton Racecourse Address: Orchard Portman, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 7BL
Taunton Racecourse Telephone Number: 01823 337172
To buy tickets for a race day at Taunton, head over to their official ticket booking webpage.
How to Bet at Taunton
Along with Wincanton, Exeter and Newton Abbot, Taunton is part of a strong West Country jumps tradition, one that is as strong today as it’s always been.
In Somerset alone, there are over 25 licensed trainers, including Paul Nicholls (Ditcheat), Philip Hobbs (Minehead), David Pipe (Wellington), Jeremy Scott (Brompton Regis) and Nigel Hawke (Bridgwater).
Being at the heart of a buoyant West Country racing scene, any betting moves for horses trained locally should be noted, especially ‘early moves’ the night before, or early in the morning.
Of particular interest is where a betting move for a horse representing a smaller local yard is observed. Similarly, any local horses on the drift should be noted and best avoided.
Being both sharp and right-handed, Taunton is a fairly unique course. If a horse has no form going right-handed, this shouldn’t necessarily put you off, but form from Ludlow, Exeter, Wincanton, Hereford or Towcester is an advantage.
Course winners are always worthy of entering calculations. The fences are tricky, and it’s a major risk backing a short-priced Novice, especially on chasing debut. Certainly, any horse with a suspect jumping record should be approached with caution.
Check the OLBG tips pages for members' comments on horses running at Taunton. Going racing at Taunton today? Then why not download the OLBG app to keep up to date with all the latest Taunton tips at the course?
Taunton Jockey and Trainer Statistics
Who are the best National Hunt jockeys and trainers to bet on at Taunton?
Backing all of the P F Nicholls runners would have produced backing the most winners for a trainer here at Taunton, with sixty-six, but you would have returned a loss by doing so. Robert Walford leads the way for profitable trainers with an LSP of +15.54 from their eleven winners. If you are looking for a trainer to follow in the eachway market, then it is Miss Nicky Martin who leads the way at Taunton. They have had a total of eight placings, which includes five winners for an eachway LSP of +126.97. With an LSP of -113.71 at Taunton, D E Pipe heads the list for worst trainers at this course, which is a result of twelve winners from one hundred fifty-eight runners, which is a strike rate of 8%.
Harry Cobden has produced a total of fifty-five winners at Taunton racecourse, and with an LSP of +11.60, they top the winners list for jockeys who also show a profit. With an eachway LSP of +100.73 at Taunton, Sean P Bowen leads the jockeys in profit for backing eachway, which has been helped by their fifteen placings, which include a total of eight winners. The jockey with the worst record at Taunton based on LSP is Sean M Houlihan, who has only a 5% strike rate with seven winners from one hundred twenty-eight rides, which have returned an LSP of -86.00.
Taunton Picks & Hints
Here are some factors at Taunton for certain trainers or jockeys which have been profitable:
- 5-10 (50%) +28.71 - Backing Mr D G Prichard rides when on horses aged 6yo
- 6-10 (60%) +13.00 - Backing Mr Frederick Gingell rides when over a trip of 2m3½f
- 22-42 (52%) +10.21 - Backing Harry Cobden rides when in a Novices Hurdle race
Taunton Top Jockey and Trainer Combinations
Here are the best trainer and jockey combinations here at Taunton based on the number of winners:
- 44 Wins: P F Nicholls & Harry Cobden
- 10 Wins: P J / White Hobbs & Michael G Nolan
- 8 Wins: Joe Tizzard & Brendan Powell
- 8 Wins: P F Nicholls & Lorcan Williams
- 7 Wins: J Scott & Lorcan Williams
Taunton Top Trainers By Most Winners and a Level Stakes Profit
| Trainer | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Walford | 38-11-19 | +15.54 | +5.47 |
| W J Greatrex | 40-8-14 | +25.68 | +20.44 |
| Anthony Charlton | 23-5-7 | +29.00 | +14.40 |
| Miss Nicky Martin | 18-5-8 | +213.38 | +126.97 |
| H Morrison | 13-4-8 | +6.66 | +3.51 |
| C Gordon | 25-3-8 | +0.83 | -1.03 |
| V R A Dartnall | 22-3-7 | +40.50 | +22.99 |
| W G M Turner | 22-3-7 | +19.00 | +10.55 |
| Dr R D P Newland | 21-3-6 | +0.50 | -0.60 |
| S W Drinkwater | 18-3-7 | +1.50 | +0.23 |
Taunton Top Jockeys By Most Winners and a Level Stakes Profit
| Jockey | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Cobden | 173-55-100 | +11.60 | -0.46 |
| Lorcan Williams | 57-15-24 | +12.73 | +4.36 |
| Mr D G Prichard | 33-9-14 | +31.71 | +17.93 |
| James C Bowen | 47-8-21 | +19.55 | +13.81 |
| Sean P Bowen | 46-8-15 | +180.81 | +100.73 |
| A Coleman | 19-8-12 | +9.09 | +3.15 |
| Kieran Buckley | 23-7-11 | +25.25 | +19.76 |
| J A Best | 100-6-11 | +7.50 | -21.39 |
| Liam Harrison | 28-5-10 | +0.50 | -3.69 |
| Richard Patrick | 20-5-7 | +11.88 | +2.86 |
With a huge combined experience of horse racing between them, this content has been created and is maintained by Darren Brett, James Banting and Andy Powell.
*All of the data for Taunton Racecourse, which includes the trainer and jockey statistics, has been created using statistics available from HorseRaceBase. The data includes all races throughout the last five years (2021 to 2025).
Darren Brett
Expert Guide
James Banting
Expert Guide
Andy Powell
Expert Guide