PREVIEW

There’s new hope for one of Britain’s rarest horse breeds after a Suffolk Punch foal was born at The Food Museum at Abbot's Hall in Stowmarket, Suffolk - the first born on site in a century.
The museum, which is dedicated to preserving agricultural heritage, is home to a small number of Suffolk Punch horses, a breed listed as critically endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. On Saturday (8June2024), a female foal named Abbots Juno was born, named to honour the last horse born at the museum in 1924.
Staff at the museum wrote on Facebook: “We are very excited to announce that our rare Suffolk Punch horse Faith has given birth to a beautiful filly (female foal)!
“Abbots Juno was born on Saturday 8 June and has been named by staff & volunteers to commemorate the last horse born on site exactly 100 years ago (Vesta, the sister of Juno in mythology), as well as the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.”
Juno and her mother, Faith, are reported to be doing well. Juno's birth is particularly significant as she is one of only 12 Suffolk Punch fillies born in the country so far this year, and she could play a vital role in the future preservation of the breed.
The museum's other Suffolk horses, Zippo and Faith, were introduced to the estate in 2019 and 2022, respectively.
Historically, Suffolk Punch horses were bred on the 84-acre Abbot's Hall estate from 1909 to 1924 by the then-owner, Captain H.D. Longe. The last foal bred on the estate was named Combs Vesta 4th. In Roman mythology, Juno is the sister of the goddess Vesta, linking the new foal's name to her predecessor.
As the museum celebrates this rare birth, the team is hopeful that Juno will contribute to the survival and proliferation of this historic breed.
The Food Museum team added: “Suffolk horses are classified as "critically endangered" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and are more endangered than the Giant Panda, making the birth of a foal a real cause for celebration.”
“The Food Museum feels honoured to play a part in the continued survival of this beautiful animal and we'd like to thank everyone who helped make it happen.”

More information is available at https://foodmuseum.org.uk/