It was a memorable weekend for Sir Alex Ferguson, who celebrated success in both football and horse racing.
Less than 24 hours after an emotional afternoon at Old Trafford, the former Manchester United manager enjoyed another winning moment.
The 84-year-old, whose competitive streak remains as sharp as ever, has long been passionate about racing and was rewarded again on Sunday.
For Ferguson, it was a weekend that combined pride in his footballing past with triumph in one of his favourite sporting pursuits.
Protektorat battles back to retain Fleur de Lys Chase
Protektorat produced a spirited display to win the Fleur de Lys Chase for the second year running, giving Ferguson another reason to celebrate.
The 11-year-old, trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by his brother Harry, showed resilience and class after recovering from a late mistake that briefly handed the lead to Handstands.
Protektorat rallied in the final stages, regaining control at the penultimate fence before holding firm to secure another memorable victory at Windsor.
Windsor Races
Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Ferguson, who co-owns Protektorat with Ged Mason and Lisa and Pat Hales, would have been delighted with the performance.
Coming the day after the Manchester Derby, it capped off a weekend that perfectly reflected Ferguson’s enduring passion for competition and success.
MORE SIR ALEX FERGUSON STORIES
Sir Alex Ferguson proud of Michael Carrick after derby success
Saturday’s Manchester Derby brought an emotional win for Michael Carrick, who oversaw a 2-0 victory over Manchester City in his first match as United’s interim manager.
Carrick, a key part of Ferguson’s United sides from 2006 to 2013, earned praise for his calm leadership and clear tactical plan.
Ferguson, who was in attendance at Old Trafford, was visibly thrilled to see his former midfielder succeed on such a significant occasion.
The result gave Man Utd a much-needed lift and marked another proud moment for Ferguson, who continues to watch many of his former players in management.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox