Champagne Dilution
Champagne is a rare dilution gene responsible for a coat colour lightening effect, often described as phenotypically similar to Cream Dilution, although far less common and isolated to fewer breed types.
Champagne is a dominant gene, therefore where present will cause coat dilution in the carrier, the specific effects of Champagne vary depending upon the base colour of the horse and are outlined below. The common trait of Champagne carriers, regardless of base colour is pink-skin pigmentation in early life, this known to fade darker with age.
Base colour interaction of Champagne Dilution:
Classic Champagne: Uniform Black horses (excluding Bay) are diluted to Classic Champagne, this involves the lightening of all body pigmentation to a pale-black colour.
Gold Champagne: Chestnut/Sorrel based horses are diluted to Gold. Full coat modification occurs leading to uniform dilution of the body, additionally the Gold horse will often have a flaxen mane and tail. They are visually similar to Chestnut-based horses modified by the Cream gene (Palominos).
Amber Champagne: Bay horses carrying Champagne dilution are designated Amber, unlike coat dilutions that only work upon Black Pigment, the Champagne will dilute the whole coat of the bay horse. Amber Champagnes are sometimes referred to as Amber Buckskins.
Animal Genetics offers testing for the dominant Champagne gene-mutation. DNA testing may be useful in cases whereby a horse has previously tested Negative for Cream or Silver Dilutions, but appears to have a lightened-coat. Testing is also used to determine Homozygosity of the Champagne gene.
Results are presented with the following designations:
ChCh - Homozygous. Positive for dominant Champagne gene, possessing two inherited copies. Coat will be diluted accordingly, will pass Champagne gene to all foals regardless of mate.
nCh - Heterozygous. Positive for dominant Champagne gene, possessing one inherited copy. Coat will be diluted accordingly, will pass Champagne gene to approximately 50% of foals when bred.
nn - Negative. Non-Champagne horse.
Champagne is also known to act in the presence of Cream Dilution, since both genes are dominant they will both take effect on the carrying horse, and produce a pale phenotype, often designated as 'Ivory Champagne.'
Pricing:
£20.00 per test (inclusive of tax, certification included free of charge)
Turnaround time: 5-7 business days.
Results: Phoned, faxed or e-mailed. Testing certificate dispatched after conclusion of test.
