A Suffolk Punch foal has been born for the first time in a century at a museum's farming estate.  

Staff at The Food Museum in Stowmarket say they feel "incredibly lucky" to welcome ‘Abbots Juno’ following her birth on Saturday, June 8.

She was born to Suffolk Punch mare Faith at the museum's farming estate Abbot's Hall.

‘Abbots Juno’ born to Suffolk Punch mare, Faith, on Saturday‘Abbots Juno’ born to Suffolk Punch mare, Faith, on Saturday (Image: The Food Museum)

Her name honours the brave heroes who stormed the beach, Juno, at the D-Day landings 80 years ago and the last Suffolk Punch born at the estate 100 years ago called ‘Combs Vesta’.

Juno is the sister of the goddess Vesta in Roman mythology.

Suffolk Punch horses are currently classified as "critically endangered" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

This breed is now considered more endangered than the Giant Panda and Juno is one of only 12 fillies born this year, making the birth a real cause for celebration.

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Growing Officer, Emma Lodge said “Mother and foal are doing well. We feel incredibly lucky to have such a rare breed animal at the museum and to play a part in the continuing survival of the Suffolk Punch.”Growing Officer, Emma Lodge said “Mother and foal are doing well. We feel incredibly lucky to have such a rare breed animal at the museum and to play a part in the continuing survival of the Suffolk Punch.” (Image: The Food Museum)

A Food Museum spokesperson said: "We’re pleased to be continuing the legacy of breeding Suffolk horses on the Abbot’s Hall estate and would like to thank all the staff and volunteers who have made it happen. It’s a momentous occasion in the museum’s history

"The fact that as a filly she has the potential to produce more of the breed in the future is even better news."

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Suffolk horses are critically endangered, so we’re very proud to be playing a part in the continued survival of this majestic breedSuffolk horses are critically endangered, so we’re very proud to be playing a part in the continued survival of this majestic breed (Image: The Food Museum)

The current Suffolk Punch horses, Faith and Zippo were not born on the farm and were brought to the estate in 2022 and 2019, so Emma and her team decided to search the files to find Juno's predecessor.

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Faith, Juno's mother and Suffolk PunchFaith, Juno's mother and Suffolk Punch (Image: The Food Museum)

 “After searching our archives, we were amazed to discover that the last foal, Combs Vesta 4th, was born on the Abbot’s Hall estate in April 1924, making it almost exactly 100 years between Vesta and our foal Juno,” she said.

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Suffolk Horses, Firefly, left, and Vesta, rightSuffolk Horses, Firefly, left, and Vesta, right (Image: The Food Museum)

From 1909 to 1924, Suffolk Punch horses were bred by Captain H.D. Longe on the 84-acre Abbot’s Hall estate where the Food Museum now operates.

Stable manager Fred Wilding with Suffolk Horses at Abbot's Hall EstateStable manager Fred Wilding with Suffolk Horses at Abbot's Hall Estate (Image: The Food Museum)

Suffolk Punch numbers declined across the region in the 1940s due to the mechanisation of farming which meant they were no longer needed to work the fields.

Collections manager Lisa Harris said; “We’re excited to welcome a new Suffolk horse to the estate and to continue Captain Longe’s legacy of supporting this rare breed."