It opened on September 21, 1927, with its first race, The Shoreditch Selling Hurdle. In 1969, a new Grandstand was built and later followed by the Paddock Stand, and AP McCoy stands – a far cry from the early years’ wooden, shed-like installations. The racetrack itself extended using ground dug up in the building of the M5 motorway.

It is in Orchard Portman, two miles south of Taunton, Somerset, England, a few minutes drive from the M5 and just two miles south from the town center. It hosts 15 National Hunt races annually from January to May before taking a summer break and resuming in October and operating predominantly during the winter. It is independently owned by Taunton Racecourse Ltd. and the youngest National Hunt course in England, and the last racecourse to be opened in Britain until Great Leighs in 2008.