'The Equine Champagne Gene'

Champagne is a rare dilution gene responsible for a coat colour lightening effects, very similar to Cream Dilution, although far less common and currently isolated to fewer breed types.

Champagne is a dominant gene, therefore where present it will cause the coat to dilute, the specific effects of Champagne vary depending upon the base colour of the horse and are outlined below. Champagne foals are born with pink skin and blue eyes, some are born with dark pink skin but its always pink, but don’t fret unlike the crème gene the champagnes skin changes they get dark flecks that almost turn the skin black, so no burning in the sun.

Base colour interaction of Champagne Dilution:

Classic Champagne: Uniform Black horses (excluding Bay) are diluted to Classic Champagne, this involves the lightening of all body pigmentation to a pale-black colour, and sometimes a chocolaty colour.

Gold Champagne: Chestnut/Sorrel based horses are diluted to Gold. Full coat modification occurs leading to uniform dilution of the body, additionally the Gold horse will often have a flaxen mane and tail. They are visually similar to Chestnut-based horses modified by the Cream gene (Palominos).

Amber Champagne: Bay horses carrying Champagne dilution are designated Amber, unlike coat dilutions that only work upon Black Pigment, the Champagne will dilute the whole coat of the bay horse. Amber Champagnes are sometimes referred to as Amber Buckskins.

Champagne is also known to act in the presence of Cream Dilution, since both genes are dominant they will both take effect on the carrying horse, and produce a pale phenotype, often designated as 'Ivory Champagne.', and the dun gene which there is no test for yet.

If you are interested in learning more about the Champagne gene then please contact us.

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