Champagne horses carry at least one copy of the dominant Champagne allele, CHC, at the champagne color dilution gene. This causes red pigment to be diluted to a golden color, and black pigment to a brown or taupe color. The coats of champagne horses therefore vary in appearance according to their base color and any other color modifiers present.
The Champagne allele also affects eye and skin color, including in heterozygous horses. As far as its known there is no difference between heterozygous and homozygous horses, making the gene truly dominant.
Champagne horses are born with whitish or bright blue eyes which gradually turn hazel or amber as the horse matures. They have pink skin which may darken to a purpley color over time. Dark freckles also develop, especially around the muzzle and eyes, under the tail, and on the sheath or udder. Some have reverse (dark) dapples. As with many other colors champagne coats tend darken in the winter.
     

Although champagne horses have undoubtedly been about for a long time they are only recently receiving recognition as being distinct, having often been mis-classified in the past. Before champagne was recognised in its own right (and sometimes now) it was often confused with palomino, buckskin, or even dun, including grulla, (although they do not have primitive marks like duns). Champagne is found particularly in Tennessee Walking Horses, American Saddlebreds, Missouri Foxtrotters and American Quarter horses and ponies.
The Champagne gene owes its name to a classic (black) champagne Tennessee Walker mare named Champagne Lady Diane (foaled in 1969). She was named for her color, which reminded her owner of sparkling wine. Samples of Champagne Lady Diane’s hair were sent to the University of Tennessee and Auburn University by her owner Diane Green. She was described by them as “a genetic color accident”, which I presume means they thought her color was due to a new mutation.
The actual shade of champagne varies with the base color of the coat. Champagnes with a black base coat are classic champagne horses. Those with a chestnut base coat are gold champagne , a color sometimes called wheaten or pink skinned palomino. Horses with a bay base coat are amber champagne and those with a brown base coat are sable champagne.



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