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: 39-95 (41%) +21.11
- Handicap Hurdles: 50-149 (34%) +1.30
- Non-Handicap Chases: 5-9 (56%) +0.97
- Non-Handicap Hurdles: 55-104 (53%) -1.35
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 are 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?
Not only is P F Nicholls the most successful trainer at Taunton in terms of the number of winners but they have also returned a profit if back all of their runners, P F Nicholls has notched up a total of sixty winners for an LSP of +4.07. When looking at trainers and looking for some eachway value at Taunton then the trainer who shows the best eachway profit is Miss Nicky Martin, that LSP is +125.64 which has been accumulated by a total of nine placings which includes five winners. D E Pipe does not have a great record at Taunton, their LSP of -94.09 has them stone dead bottom of the trainers' list, which has come from thirteen winners from one hundred and forty-four runners which is a 9% strike rate.
When looking at the leading jockeys based on wins for those who are also showing a profit when backing all of their rides then it is Harry Cobden who comes out at the top here at Taunton With a total of forty-seven winners and an LSP of +6.64. With an eachway LSP of +103.83 at Taunton, Sean P Bowen leads the jockeys in profit for backing eachway which has been helped by their ten placings which include a total of five winners. A total of four winners from one hundred eighteen rides at Taunton has Sean M Houlihan at the wrong end of the jockeys' list with their 3% strike rate and worst LSP of -91.75.
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
- 9-17 (53%) +12.22 - Backing Harry Cobden rides when in a Maiden 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:
- 38 Wins: P F Nicholls & Harry Cobden
- 8 Wins: P F Nicholls & Lorcan Williams
- 7 Wins: N J Hawke & Kieran Buckley
- 7 Wins: Olly Murphy & A Coleman
- 6 Wins: Daniel Skelton & Harry Skelton
Taunton Top Trainers By Most Winners and a Level Stakes Profit
Trainer | R-W-P | Win | EW |
---|---|---|---|
P F Nicholls | 201-60-110 | +4.07 | -10.89 |
Robert Walford | 34-9-18 | +14.91 | +7.98 |
W J Greatrex | 37-6-12 | +23.30 | +18.86 |
Miss Nicky Martin | 20-5-9 | +211.38 | +125.64 |
V R A Dartnall | 28-4-10 | +44.50 | +26.21 |
S W Drinkwater | 17-4-9 | +11.50 | +7.53 |
Anthony Charlton | 14-4-4 | +33.50 | +17.65 |
H Morrison | 12-4-8 | +7.66 | +4.51 |
Richenda Ford | 19-2-4 | +2.33 | -2.85 |
W G M Turner | 18-2-6 | +20.00 | +11.30 |
Taunton Top Jockeys By Most Winners and a Level Stakes Profit
Jockey | R-W-P | Win | EW |
---|---|---|---|
Harry Cobden | 157-47-85 | +6.64 | -8.48 |
Lorcan Williams | 53-13-19 | +0.73 | -9.64 |
David G Noonan | 122-10-22 | +3.53 | -31.53 |
Harry Kimber | 61-10-15 | +2.92 | -7.79 |
Mr D G Prichard | 34-9-14 | +30.71 | +16.93 |
A Coleman | 23-9-13 | +11.09 | +3.28 |
Kieran Buckley | 27-7-11 | +21.25 | +15.76 |
Mr Frederick Gingell | 26-7-9 | +1.37 | -4.46 |
James C Bowen | 42-6-19 | +19.17 | +14.23 |
Alan Johns | 60-5-10 | +7.50 | -10.94 |
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 favourite statistics and the trainer and jockey statistics have been created using results from HorseRaceBase.