JOE Bear flew the flag for Great Britain when he clinched runners-up spot in the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park in Chicago in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Owned by Burley-based businessman Chris Ransom, the three-year-old sprang a surprise at American odds of around 40-1 when he followed home race winner Kicken Kris to collect around $80,000 in prize money.

And had it not been for some bad luck in running, Joe Bear could have gone even closer to landing the $240,000 first prize after he was boxed in as the field turned for home at the final bend.

Joe Bear ran in memory of the owner's late brother Paul Ransom who died in a swimming accident while on holiday with his wife Sally in Spain in September 2000.

Paul, who was 36, had always harboured ambitions to own a racehorse and the opportunity to buy the colt - foaled in the year of his death - presented itself to his older brother Chris last year.

Chris, who runs a design and marketing agency with offices in Southampton and London, flew to Chicago to watch the race with his wife Phillipa and the couple are due back in England today.

His twin brother Steve Ransom told the Daily Echo last night: "The whole family are absolutely delighted with the horse's performance and he justified the faith we all had in him with his fantastic showing in the race.

"He was hampered around the final bend and had to be pulled back as he was going up the inside. The commentators on the television said that maybe that cost him the race.

"But he came through the race fit and well and I've spoken to my brother who says the long-term targets now are the Winter Derby at Lingfield Park and the Prince of Wales Stakes at next year's Royal Ascot meeting."

Godolphin's American jockey David Flores - who partnered Sulamani to victory in the Arlington Million - was drafted in to ride Joe Bear as a late replacement for Darryl Holland who was on duty in France yesterday.

And after finishing two lengths ahead of third-placed Lismore Knight and three-and-a-half behind winner Kicken Kris, Joe Bear's trainer Philip Mitchell said: "It was a great run. He's a baby and next year he'll be a very big horse. I promise you."