Taunton bonus launched
Taunton racecourse is hoping to entice the jumps stars of tomorrow by introducing a £50,000 cash bonus for novice and juvenile/junior hurdle winners that follow up in one of the six novice hurdle contests at the Cheltenham Festival during the 2026-27 season.
The first six qualifying races will be held in November and December, all run for a prize fund of £12,000 except for the Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices Hurdle on December 30, a Listed contest that is worth £45,000.
Subject to confirmation of the 2027 fixture list, Taunton expects to stage four further qualifying races in January and February 2027, taking the total to ten races in the series.
Patrick Davis, Taunton’s CEO, said: “This is something I was keen to bring in. We already receive fabulous support from trainers such as Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs, Joe Tizzard, David Pipe and Alex Dunn in the south west, but we want to raise the profile of Taunton and increase the quality of horses at the track.
“It’s about getting trainers across the country to take us seriously as a nursery for their future stars. We want to get this in people’s minds now and spread the message about the valuable bonus.
“The qualifying races in 2026 are £2,000 above minimum values and whatever the minimum value is for next year, we’ll make them £13,000 or £14,000.”
The list of past superstars to have raced at Taunton includes the likes of Champion Hurdle heroes Rooster Booster and Rock On Ruby and recent heroine Golden Ace, a dual winner at the track in 2024.
Well-known names Our Vic, Well Chief, Al Ferof, Menorah, Sire De Grugy and Alexei are others that have utilised the Somerset racecourse as a springboard to future big-race success.
Davis continued: “Most of our handicap hurdles and chases are £4,000 or £5,000 above minimum values and if we have a Class 3, we’ll likely pay £17,000.
“We recognise the plight of owners in the current climate and all the costs involved. Alongside decent prize-money we also want to provide an enjoyable experience for all owners at Taunton.
“All the profits we make are ploughed back into the racecourse and facilities. We commit a third of our media rights revenue into prize-money. Our shareholders don’t take any money out of it. Anything we make goes back into Taunton racecourse and the sport for owners and racegoers.
“There’s also a pipeline of work that we’re scheduling, including refurbishing the paddock and improving the general facilities.”
In the event there is more than one winner of a qualifying race at Taunton that goes on to take a novice contest at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the bonus will be shared.
Qualifying races in 2026:
November 26 -
- £12,000 NH Novice Hurdle (Class 4) – 2m 104y
December 10 -
- £12,000 EBF Fillies’ Junior NH Hurdle (Class 4) – 2m 104y
- £12,000 Novice Hurdle (Class 4) – 2m 104y
December 30 -
- £12,000 Juvenile Hurdle (Class 4) – 2m 104y
- £12,000 Novice Hurdle (Class 4) – 2m 3f 1y
- £45,000 Byerley Stud Mares Novice Hurdle (Class 1) LISTED – 2m 104 y