The Phorus Derby

A twice annual event where the Phorus Stables race their Axebeaks through the Ostervand countryside before selling them for meat and leather.
The first race of the year is held on the 8th of Tarksah to mark the start of the Axebeak hatching season. The race runs around the the south side of the town for three miles across an obsicale course of wooden fences, ditches, hedges and streams. 
The second race is held on the 24th of Elent and follows a similar design but on the north side of the town. This is to mark the end of the summer and for various stables to sell their animals for slaughter for the coming winter. 
The races are fast paced and dangerous as the Axebeaks themselves are not trained. Riders draw names from a lottery and climb aboard the birds in secure gates behind a trained animal and rider. At the sound of a horn the leader sets off trailing fresh meat for the birds to chase. Riders have to stay on their mount for the duration of the race and whomever crosses the line first is rewarded with the grand prize. In past years it has been a significant gold sum between 1000-5000gp, more recently the prizes have been positions of importance or gifts from wealthy nobles alongside a reduced cash prize. 
It is not unheard of for riders to perish during the race either from falling from their mounts or other Axebeaks attacking the creature ahead of it and the rider along with it.