Race: The Great Erasmus Vegelbud Memorial Derby Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Quest
Group: Secondary Quests
Location: Novigrad
At some point in the game, an announcer will appear on the Hierarch Square in Novigrad and start calling for participants to take part in the memorial derby. To start this quest take An invitation to the Memorial Derby lying on the table next to him and read it.
The Vegelbud family's out-of-town estate was famed not only for its lovely guardians and sumptuous banquets, but also for the series of horse races organized there in honor of one of the line's illustrious ancestors, Erasmus. Geralt, who had spent a great many years in the saddle, decided to test his mettle in this derby - lured, perhaps, by the sizable reward promised to the victor.
Note: This quest is put on hold during the "Carnal Sins" quest.
Related points of interest
An invitation to the Memorial Derby
Velen / Novigrad
Vegelbud Residence
Velen / Novigrad
Cleaver's Headquarters
Velen / Novigrad
Quest stages of Race: The Great Erasmus Vegelbud Memorial Derby
1. Talk to the master of ceremonies for the Vegelbuds' race. / Talk to the master of ceremonies to begin the race.
Go to the starting line, which is near the Vegelbud Residence and talk to the race master. Once you have paid 100 crowns of entry fee, you will be able to take part in the first race.
2. Beat the first rider. / Beat the second rider. / Beat Luc Vegelbud.
The whole derby will consist of three races, taking place on relatively long and different routes and at different times of day or weather. The entry fee for each of the races will be 100 crowns. After winning you will receive a certain amount of crowns and a prize.
- 1st race: Superior racing saddle (50 stamina), 160 crowns
- 2nd race: Rugged saddlebags (70 Maximum inventory weight), 160 crowns
- 3rd race: Superior cavalry saddle (70 Stamina), 200 crowns
After winning the last race you will receive an additional 80 crowns and when you are leaving the race area you will be hooked by a messenger from Cleaver who will hand you a letter from him.
3. Read the letter you received.
Read the message from Carlo Varese.
Message from Carlo Varese
Witcher
I've heard about your victory in the Vegelbuds' Derby. Such talent shouldn't go to waste - in fact, it needs to develop, and to make sure it develops, it needs to be generously rewarded.
If you're interested in either development or the reward, come visit me at my usual headquarters.
Varese.
4. Talk to Cleaver about the letter. / Return to Cleaver and talk to him about the race.
You'll find Cleaver at his headquarters in Novigrad. He will offer you to take part in an illegal race and promises a big prize if you win because he wants to bet a big amount of money on your win. You can start the race immediately or postpone it until later.
The Vegelbud races segued into an unexpected encore. Cleaver, one of the Novigrad crime lords, was so impressed by the witcher's riding prowess that he offered him the chance to take part in the equally famed (though illegal) race organized by the local underworld.
5. Be the first past the finish line.
The race will take place after dark in the areas south of Novigrad and it will be a very long race. If you win, Cleaver will be very happy and you will get 700 crowns, and Racing horse blinders (40 Horse's Fear Level) from him + 40 crowns for winning a race. Of course, if you lose, Cleaver will be pissed off at you and you'll get nothing from him.
Note: Victory in this race is necessary to get the "Fast and Furious" achievement.
Though the nighttime race was rife with obstacles, Geralt managed to win it as well. Sadly, he was not given long to celebrate his triumph, for the city guard, alarmed by the ruckus of galloping horses at an hour when decent people should be asleep, broke up the event and scattered its participants.