Cup for the second time beating Gammalite by 14 metres before suffering a serious injury. 'Poppy' as he had become known, had broken a bone in his leg during trackwork and did not race for nearly a year. During his recovery he received get well cards from children. Popular Alm was able to return to racing in preparation for Melbourne's 1985 Inter Dominion Championships. Although winning his only two starts after returning to racing late in 1984 he never regained full fitness and was retired to stud. In 2009 he was elected to the Victorian Harness Racing Media Association Hall of Fame in its first year of operation. Stud record His notable progeny includes: Brief Judgement 1989 colt, 1:57.2, earnings of $62,076 Popular Truss 1994 colt, 1:57.8 earnings of $53,576 Southern Sugar 1987 filly, 1:58.9 earnings of $87,625 Popular Alm died aged 24 in South Australia after suffering the effects of a crippling spinal disease caused by a spur-like calcification on a vertebra in his neck. He has had a race, the Popular Alm Free For All, named after him since the 1996/7 season. This race has been an important lead-up to the Victoria Cup one of Victoria's premier harness races. References 1976 racehorse births 2000 racehorse deaths Standardbred racehorses bred in Australia Miracle Mile winners