The Champagne gene is a a fairly new discovery so there isn't much documentation about it yet. It is known to be a dominant gene that has the ability to dilute both black and red pigment. If it is present it will display itself physically and it will lighten or dilute a coat color. So far it has been documented to occur in the Tennessee Walker, Missouri Fox Trotter, Quarter Horse, American Saddlebred and most recently Miniature Horses. Since this is a dominant gene at least one parent must display the characteristics for the offspring to be a true genetic representation of the color.

To really get a full education about this dilution gene I suggest you go to the International Champagne Horse Registry web site, as I personally have no first hand experience with this color, but felt it shouldn't be left out of this site.

Many thanks to the members of ICHR and Barbara Kostelnik for their help and allowing the use of their photos.

There are four different shades of Champagne. Even though we have many photos on this page, any photos you would like to send are welcome.

Ivory Champagne at 4½ months Beloved Angel Courtesy ICHR

Please note: Due to the fact that the term "Ivory" is not very genetically descriptive the ICHR has decided to remove "Ivory" as a descriptive color term of Champagnes and revise the terms used to describe horses that have the Cream dilution gene in addition to Ivory.

Just as horses who have both Champange and Dun are described as Amber + Dun is Amber Dun so will the Cream and Champanges be described, Amber + Cream will become Amber Cream. This way it will be possible to tell what other genes are present in the horse by the color term used to describe it.

Black Based Ivory Champagne Tennessee Walking Horse Owned by Gwendelyn Morton Courtesy ICHR

ICHR is still in the process of revising these terms, please look for this information on the ICHR web site.

Previously the term "Ivory" Champagne was used to describe horses that had at least one Champagne gene and at least one Cream gene. For example: A Buckskin with the Champagne gene, or a Cremello with the Champagne gene. This shade is often mistaken for a Cremello, Perlino or Smoky Black but unlike a double cream dilute, the eyes of a Ivory Champagne will usually change colors.

Cougarand San Bar - AQHA (ICHR registered) Photo Uploaded to Photo Albums by clanfone@peoplepc.com

This is a Chestnut horse with the Champagne gene. These horses are often confused with Palominos. The mane and tail can be flaxen like a Palominos or it can be golden like what is seen in the photo of of Zips SiouxzQ Outlaw.

Just a side note: It's been reported to me that mane and tail of Zips SiouxzQ Outlaw are now changing to a more flaxen color, but photos of this aren't available until spring.

Danny Boy's Moon Spirit American Cream X Perchron Courtesy of Leah Patton

Amber is the term used to describe Bay horses with the Champagne gene. This shade is commonly confused with Buckskin or even a Silver Buckskin depending on the intensity of the points.

Khalvin Khlein KpM Half Arabian Courtesy of Gwendolyn Gregorio The horse also displays reverse dappling.

Ms Dowdy Doc Bars - AQHA Owned by Rita Gambino Courtesy ICHR

Classic Champagnes are Black horses diluted by the Champagne gene. They are sometimes called Grullo, but lack the necessary primitive markings to make them a true Dun dilution.

Amber Champagne Butter Lookout - Foal Courtesy of The D.A.M.M Ranch

Amber Champagne Butter Lookout - Adult Courtesy of The D.A.M.M Ranch

Most foals of other colors are born with a light coat, that darkens with age. Champagne foals are the opposite. They are born with a dark coat that lightens with age.

Beloved Angel Courtesy ICHR

Champagne horses are born with blue eyes, the eyes go through several changes as the foal matures. They start blue, go greenish, then hazel and end up amber. Some horses retain the blue or green color.

Beloved Angel Courtesy ICHR

All Champagne horses are born with pink skin that usually darkens to a purplish brown with maturity. Freckled skin is very common. This can be found around the eyes, muzzle, under the tail, and the sheath/udder areas. This Freckling is very different in physical appearance than the mottled skin associated with the Appaloosa patterns, Sabino and depigmentation that sometimes occurs in Greys.

©The Ultimate Horse Book

One trait that can occur on Champagne horses is a metallic glow or sheen to it's coat. Not all Champagne horses have this glow and it can occur in horses that are not Champagne, such as the Palomino Akhal-Teke on the right.

Please Note: The Akhal-Teke pictured here is not Champagne. This photo is included only as an example of the metallic sheen that can be present on horses who are not Champagne. The Akhal-Teke is a Palomino with the Sabino white spotting pattern.

(Photo of Champagne with metallic sheen is needed.)

©Encyclopedia of the Horse

Another physical characteristic that can occur with the Champagne color is reverse dappling. But again, this is also occurs in horses that are not Champagne.

Please Note: The photo to the right shows reverse dappling on a Trait du Nord draft horse. This horse is a Bay Roan and does not have Champagne.

(Photo of Champagne with reverse dappling is needed.)

See this site for more info on Champagne Horse

• International Champagne Horse Registry