While Dame Flora Duffy has been at the top of the triathlon tree for some time, the equine version seems to have finally got her act together.

Owned by Bermuda racing, Flora Of Bermuda produced the best performance of her career when winning the group three Summer Stakes at York last week.

Stepping up to six furlongs for the first time this season, the three-year-old had to wait for daylight before staying on strongly under jockey P.J. McDonald, who was having only his third ride back after being out for five months with complications from a dislocated shoulder, to win the prestigious race by three quarters of a length.

Bought for £340,000 last year, this victory secures Flora Of Bermuda’s future as a valuable broodmare after her racing career is over and was a thrill for Simon Scupham, the head of Bermuda Racing.

“Patience is the name of the game,” Scupham said.

“Flora’s terrific win was so well deserved. She has always been regarded as a special horse with a special talent but so often the gods have transpired against her.

“The patience shown by the trainer [Andrew Balding] and all his team is now paying off. Stepping her up to six furlongs was also inspired and we have lots to look forward to.”

The following couple of weeks could prove crucial to Bermuda’s two Floras, with Flora Of Bermuda next scheduled to compete in France just four days after Duffy defends her Olympic title in Paris on July 31.

Flora Of Bermuda heads to Deauville on August 4 to take in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, a group one race over 6½ furlongs.