Popular Alm
Encyclopedia
Popular Alm was an Australian bred Standardbred pacer. He was one of the fastest pacers Australia
has produced, running exceptional times over many distances. Popular Alm set a world record for a mile time trial at Moonee Valley
on 13 May 1983, running 1:53.2. He raced 62 times over seven seasons for 49 wins, seven seconds and three thirds for stake earnings of $710,883.
He was bred by Arthur Pearce and foaled in 1976 at Bendigo, Victoria
. Popular Alm was by Sovereign Adios from Direct Design, a daughter of Truant Hanover. He was inbred to Adios
in the third generation (3x3) of his pedigree.
, Popular Alm was the subject of a betting plunge. He was backed from 33/1 to 9/4 but finished second behind fellow Victorian Gammalite
.
Poppy was driven by Bob Knight's son Vincent (Vin, Vinny) John Knight who died in April 1991.
After suffering an injury upon returning to Victoria he was sent for a spell and did not race again until August 1980. Progressing quickly through his classes Popular Alm won 15 consecutive races including the 1981 Kilmore Cup and a track record breaking win in 1:55.9 over the mile at Harold Park in Sydney. The winning sequence came to an end when he finished second in the 1982 Ballarat Cup off a 25 metre handicap. After an unsuccessful Interdominion
campaign when he finished third in the final, Popular Alm was given a spell before beginning the 1982/3 season which saw him become Australian Harness Horse of the Year
. During 1982/3 he won the Winfield Cup (later known as the Victoria Cup), the Miracle Mile
, the A G Hunter Cup
, all three legs of the Tasman Challenge, and finished second in the Auckland Interdominion
final behind Gammalite
. He completed the season with his 1:53.2 time trial. By breaking the previous Australian mile record by 1.7 seconds, he reduced the record by more than any horse since Walla Walla in 1933.
On 29 October 1983, Popular Alm became the shortest priced favourite in Australian harness racing history when winning at Brisbane
’s Albion Park.
Popular Alm began the 1983/4 season by winning the Craven Filter Sprint on the opening night of the new Albion Park in 1:54.5, a new Australian record time for a race. He then won the Australian Pacing Championship
and the Winfield Cup 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.
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 is an important lead-up to the Victoria Cup one of Victoria
's premier harness races.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
has produced, running exceptional times over many distances. Popular Alm set a world record for a mile time trial at Moonee Valley
Moonee Valley Racecourse
Moonee Valley Racecourse is a horse-racing track in Melbourne, Australia which hosts races for Thoroughbreds. Located six kilometers from the Melbourne CBD, it is the home of the Moonee Valley Racing Club...
on 13 May 1983, running 1:53.2. He raced 62 times over seven seasons for 49 wins, seven seconds and three thirds for stake earnings of $710,883.
He was bred by Arthur Pearce and foaled in 1976 at Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
. Popular Alm was by Sovereign Adios from Direct Design, a daughter of Truant Hanover. He was inbred to Adios
Adios (racehorse)
Adios was a champion harness racing sire.The son of Hal Dale and the mare Adioo Volo, the horse named Adios was born on January 3, 1940 at Two Gaits Farm, in Carmel, Indiana. Trained and driven by Frank Ervin and for a while owned by Harry Warner of Warner Bros. film studio, Adios was a multiple...
in the third generation (3x3) of his pedigree.
Racing record
Making his racing debut as a two year old Popular Alm had raced only five times before being sold for $40,000 to clients of Kilmore based trainer Bob Knight. Making his debut for Knight in the 1980 South Australian Pacing Derby at Globe Derby ParkGlobe Derby Park
Globe Derby Park is a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the City of Salisbury.-Demographics:The 2006 Census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics counted 314 persons in Globe Derby Park on census night...
, Popular Alm was the subject of a betting plunge. He was backed from 33/1 to 9/4 but finished second behind fellow Victorian Gammalite
Gammalite
Gammalite was an Australian bred Standardbred racehorse who was the first Standardbred to win A$1 million in Australia. He was regarded as one of Australia's most successful pacers with 16 Group one wins....
.
Poppy was driven by Bob Knight's son Vincent (Vin, Vinny) John Knight who died in April 1991.
After suffering an injury upon returning to Victoria he was sent for a spell and did not race again until August 1980. Progressing quickly through his classes Popular Alm won 15 consecutive races including the 1981 Kilmore Cup and a track record breaking win in 1:55.9 over the mile at Harold Park in Sydney. The winning sequence came to an end when he finished second in the 1982 Ballarat Cup off a 25 metre handicap. After an unsuccessful Interdominion
Inter Dominion
The Inter Dominion is a harness racing competition that has been contested since 1936 in Australia and New Zealand. The host of the series is rotated between the six harness racing states of Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand...
campaign when he finished third in the final, Popular Alm was given a spell before beginning the 1982/3 season which saw him become Australian Harness Horse of the Year
Australian Harness Horse of the Year
The Australian Harness Horse of the Year is an honour that recognises the top harness racing horse in the Australia. The award is selected by industry people and media representatives....
. During 1982/3 he won the Winfield Cup (later known as the Victoria Cup), the Miracle Mile
Miracle Mile (race)
The Miracle Mile is an Australian harness racing event that was held at Harold Park Racetrack each November up until 2008 when the race was switched to Menangle Park. Prizemoney has long been among that of Australia’s leading harness races and has often included bonuses for speed...
, the A G Hunter Cup
A G Hunter Cup
The A.G. Hunter Cup is a competition in Harness racing. It is contested over 3,050 metres at Tabcorp Park in Melbourne, VIC. It is one of the world's richest handicap standing start events, currently worth A$425,000...
, all three legs of the Tasman Challenge, and finished second in the Auckland Interdominion
Inter Dominion
The Inter Dominion is a harness racing competition that has been contested since 1936 in Australia and New Zealand. The host of the series is rotated between the six harness racing states of Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand...
final behind Gammalite
Gammalite
Gammalite was an Australian bred Standardbred racehorse who was the first Standardbred to win A$1 million in Australia. He was regarded as one of Australia's most successful pacers with 16 Group one wins....
. He completed the season with his 1:53.2 time trial. By breaking the previous Australian mile record by 1.7 seconds, he reduced the record by more than any horse since Walla Walla in 1933.
On 29 October 1983, Popular Alm became the shortest priced favourite in Australian harness racing history when winning at Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
’s Albion Park.
Popular Alm began the 1983/4 season by winning the Craven Filter Sprint on the opening night of the new Albion Park in 1:54.5, a new Australian record time for a race. He then won the Australian Pacing Championship
Australian Pacing Championship
The Australian Pacing Championship is a harness racing event showcasing some of Australia's and New Zealand’s best pacers. It is currently held annually at Gloucester Park in Perth.-Results:* Race recorded in km rate...
and the Winfield Cup 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.
Major honours
- 1983 A G Hunter CupA G Hunter CupThe A.G. Hunter Cup is a competition in Harness racing. It is contested over 3,050 metres at Tabcorp Park in Melbourne, VIC. It is one of the world's richest handicap standing start events, currently worth A$425,000...
- 1981 & 1982 Kilmore Cup
- 1982 & 1983 Winfield Cup
- 1983 Miracle MileMiracle Mile (race)The Miracle Mile is an Australian harness racing event that was held at Harold Park Racetrack each November up until 2008 when the race was switched to Menangle Park. Prizemoney has long been among that of Australia’s leading harness races and has often included bonuses for speed...
- 1983 Australian Pacing ChampionshipAustralian Pacing ChampionshipThe Australian Pacing Championship is a harness racing event showcasing some of Australia's and New Zealand’s best pacers. It is currently held annually at Gloucester Park in Perth.-Results:* Race recorded in km rate...
- 1982 Harold Park Spring Cup
- 1983 Craven Filter Sprint
- 1982/3 Australian Harness Horse of the YearAustralian Harness Horse of the YearThe Australian Harness Horse of the Year is an honour that recognises the top harness racing horse in the Australia. The award is selected by industry people and media representatives....
- World and Australasian record time trial in 1983
- Australasian mile race record in 1981 & 1983
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 is an important lead-up to the Victoria Cup one of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
's premier harness races.