Among the rarer dilutions, champagne is relatively new to the genetics of horse colors. Which is interesting as their characteristics are incredibly unique and different from most other colors.
Updated Colors
We’ve been giving our colors section a major overhaul, to make the information more accurate and provide better images. Equine color genetics are incredibly complex and some of it still remains a mystery, even for geneticists. We think that is part of the fun.
Shiny Champagne
The champagne gene is generally only found in American breeds, but it is fairly widespread on the North American continent. It has an effect on both red and black pigments, so it can be found on all of the base colors and in conjunction with most other modifiers and dilutions. With a champagne gene, black pigment turns brown and red pigment turns golden.
Unique Characteristics
Of all color genetics champagne has perhaps the most unique characteristics that set them apart. They are born with pale or light blue eyes that change color as they age, until they become hazel. The skin of a champagne is quite distinct, it is pink but not the pure pink of a double cream, it’s more of a purple-pink color and grows darker as they age. There is also mottling on soft spots that develops as animals age, in a softer color than dark appaloosa mottling.
Metallic Sheen
Freckles and pink skin
Light Eyes
Mottled Comparison
Comparisons help us to figure out what color an animal might be in an image (we do the best we can to get it right). The animals below both display a mottling of skin on their nose. On the left champagne mottles, chocolate brown on soft pinky-purple skin. On the right leopard complex mottles, black or charcoal on shell pink skin.
Champagne Mottling
Appaloosa Mottling
The Range
The range is not huge, but contrast to the base color definitely is. From black to warm brown and chestnut to pearlescent gold, each version is wildly different than the original. Classic comes from a black base and can look similar to a yellow dun or buckskin. A chestnut produces a gold champagne, sometimes called wheaten or pink skinned palomino (actual palominos are different genetically). Our lovely agoutis, bay and brown produce amber and sable champagnes respectively. Body hair is lightened to a light red or reddish brown, while mane, tail and points go chocolate brown.
Classic Champagne
Amber Champagne
Sable ChampagneChampagne Breeds
Similar to silver, champagne seems to affect a high percentage of gaited breeds (many American breeds are gaited). This includes the Spanish Mustang, so it may come from European amimals in the first place. The only breed we could find that registers specifically for champagne is the American Cream Draft, as the name suggests there is also a dash of cream in there. Palmonio makes the list because golden champagnes can be registered as Palomino, which is a color breed and bases their registration on color genetics.
American Cream Draft
PalominoColorful World
The world of horse colors is truly a spectacular one and we will continue to share updated color (and breed) pages, with all of their spectacular images. We’ve been working on some quick color cheat sheets for all of the horse color lovers out there. Click the image below for a larger version.
