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The Pure Champagne Colors

This page deals with champagne's effect on the four basic colors: chestnut (sorrel), bay, black and (seal) brown.

Depending upon which base colors and other color genetics
are present in a horse with a Champagne gene,
the appearance of the horse varies. 
Also, a lighter or darker shade of the base color
may affect the horse's appearance.

For a very in-depth, scientific article about its genetics: ARTICLE

Links to DNA color tests are HERE.

Effect of Champagne on the plain, dark horse colors:

Dark Color

These horses will have dark or black skin in all pigmented areas.

With Champagne

These horses will have pink skin with darker freckles in all pigmented areas.

Starting with a red based horse (a chestnut / sorrel) :

Chestnut

ee

If the red-based horse has one or two champagne genes from one or both parents, it's Gold. (Occasionally a gold may have a reddish mane and/or tail.)

Gold

ee, Ch_

Starting with a black based horse with a bay (agouti) gene:

Bay

E_, A_

If the bay-based horse has one or two champagne genes from one or both parents, it's Amber.

Amber

E_, A_, Ch_

Starting with a black based horse with the  (seal) brown (agouti-t) gene:

Brown

E_, At_

If the brown-based horse has one or two champagne genes from one or both parents, it's Sable.

Sable

E_, At_, Ch_

Starting with a solid black horse (without an agouti gene):

Black
E_, aa

If the black-based horse has one or two champagne genes from one or both parents, it's Classic.

Classic
E_, aa, Ch_

For details about each color,
click on the horse or button that represents the color.

To see what happens when the Champagne gene is combined with other color genes :  see "Combinations"

For in-depth help with determining whether a horse is champagne,
see "Identification"