A rare Suffolk foal has been born near Ipswich in a boost for the conservation of the UK’s most endangered heavy horse breed. The filly, named Spearman Bellatrix (pictured, top), was born on 14 May to Suffolk mare Spearman Annie.
She arrived at Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park, which is owned by farmer and television presenter Jimmy Doherty, as the result of a collaboration instigated and supported by the Suffolk Horse Society. Spearman Bellatrix is likely to be the only pure-bred foal sired by the stallion, meaning the filly foal’s birth has saved his rare bloodline.
The Suffolk Horse Society is the breed society which maintains the Suffolk Horse Stud Book, and works to improve the breed’s prospects for the future. The charity reported there are less than 500 registered Suffolk horses in the UK.
The breed is categorised as a Priority on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s annual Watchlist and the births of just 16 pure-bred Suffolk filly foals were registered in 2021.
Welcome news
The colt foal poses for the camera. Credit: Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park
The safe arrival of a filly foal is cause for particular celebration because when a breed’s population is so low, the birth of new females is vitally important to guard against inbreeding and to enable new births in the future.
There was further cause for celebration with the birth of a pure-bred Suffolk colt foal the previous week to another Suffolk mare, Spearman Annabelle.
Jimmy Doherty, who is a member of the Suffolk Horse Society and Vice President of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, had been keeping both mares at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park. The mares were loaned by their owner to support the Suffolk Horse Society’s breeding programme for the conservation of rare bloodlines.
“I’m delighted at the arrival of both foals,” said Jimmy. “When the Suffolk Horse Society asked if we would be able to contribute to this breeding project by hosting the two mares, we were over the moon and jumped at the chance. We are elated with these two beautiful foals; the result of two successful pregnancies.
“The Suffolk horse is an irreplaceable feature of our local heritage here in Suffolk and these foals will help strengthen the population.”
‘Like sisters’
Tracey Pettitt from the Suffolk Punch Trust and Colony Stud led the team working around the clock to check on the horses in the lead up to the births.
“I feel privileged to see the foals be born and honoured that Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park trusted us to do the job,” she said. “The mares are both healthy and have taken to motherhood like ducks to the water.
“This is the first time we’ve had two mares foal side by side. Annie and Annabelle were born on the same day and have spent every day together since, they’re practically sisters.”
Stevie Sheppard, General Manager of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park was elated with the new arrivals.
“Just as we came second on Eurovision, I got the call that the second Suffolk Punch foal was being born, Although we didn’t claim the Eurovision title, we still won that night with this rare foal.”
For more information about the Suffolk horse breed and the Suffolk Horse Society, visit https://suffolkhorsesociety.org.uk/
Lead image by Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park
