The Genetics of Champagne Coloring
The champagne gene is a dominant dilution gene, first documented in 1996 by Philip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD, of Virginia Tech and Ann Bowling, PhD, of UC Davis. Prior to this the champagne gene was often misidentified. Many champagnes were
The champagne gene is a dominant dilution gene, first documented in 1996 by Philip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD, of Virginia Tech and Ann Bowling, PhD, of UC Davis. Prior to this the champagne gene was often misidentified. Many champagnes were mistakenly called "pumpkin-skinned palominos" due to their mottled skin and golden coloration. However, the champagne gene is distinctly separate from the cream gene (which causes palomino and buckskin) and the dun gene.
Many champagnes were mistakenly called "albinos" because of their bright blue eyes and pink skin at birth. However, true albinism is not common in horses, if it exists at all.
In addition to the bright blue eyes that later change to hazel or gold, and the pink skin that mottles with age, the champagne gene effects the coat color pigments. The gene causes red pigment to be diluted to gold, and black pigment to be diluted to chocolate.
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