Champagne gene

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The champagne gene is a gene that occurs in horses. It is a dominant dilution gene, so two genes (one from each parent) do not affect the horse's color any more than one copy. (This is different from the incomplete dominant creme gene, in which one gene lightens the coat, but two genes double the cream factor). If your horse carries a champagne gene, it will be champagne. A champagne horse must have at least one parent that is a champagne.

Their foal coats are generally darker than their adult coat: the opposite of most colors (see the creme gene). As a rule, champagne horses start out looking chestnut or bay before turning shades of yellow.

The gene dilutes:

red into gold
black into liver

Champagne horses are born with brown hooves, pink skin, and blue eyes. The blues eyes eventually become hazel, amber or occasionaly green at adulthood.

Note: The fact that Champagne horses are born with pink skin can sometimes confuse people, as palominos and chestnuts are also born with pink skin. However, palomino and chestnut foals' skin usually begins to turn dark within a few days, while a Champagne horse will stay pink-skinned throughout its life. Some horses are also born with blue eyes, but, again, their eyes begin to change color rapidly instead of the slow change of a Champagne.

Other characteristics of Champagne coloring that may occur include mottled skin and reverse dappling.

This gene is seen in Tennessee Walkers, American Saddlebreds, Missouri Fox Trotters, American Quarter Horses, Miniature horses, and other breeds.

[edit] Different champagne shades

Amber Champagnes have a gold body, ranging from pale gold to deep, rich yellow. Their points (mane, tail, lower legs) range from very light brown shading, to very dark (almost black) looking points.

Gold Champagnes will either have a white/flaxen mane and tail, or the mane and tail will be the same shade as the body. The Flaxen Golds look like palominos at a distance. Self Golds are the most similar to a dark red dun but without any dun factor. The foals of both are born chestnut and turn golden. If they are flaxen gold the mane and tail will shed out flaxen or white.

Classic Champagnes vary in shades. Many horses on a brown or dark bay are listed as "classic." The color is a liver chocolate metallic shade. The closest color outside of champagne to it is a brownish grulla without dun factor. You may or may not be able to see the leg points. Of all the colors of Champagne, Classics tend to be an uneven color in the body, having highlights in the flank or fine areas.

Ivory is a pale cream color that very closely resembles Cremello (see the creme gene). However, unlike true creams, ivory Champagne horses have green or greenish eyes instead of blue eyes of creams.