Champagne coat colour (SLC36A1-related) - Horse

What does this test examine?

This DNA test examines the champagne dilution in horses. The analysis detects the SLC36A1 variant c.188C>G, also known as the Ch allele. Champagne is a dominant coat-colour dilution that lightens both black and red pigments and therefore has a clear effect on the final coat colour.

What does Champagne mean?

A champagne horse can have a lighter, glossy coat, often with pink or mottled skin and lighter eyes that may change toward amber, hazel or greenish tones as the animal matures. The visible colour depends on base colour and other dilution or pattern loci. Champagne can therefore create different shades on chestnut, bay, black and other base-colour combinations.

Practical value of this test

• N/N: no champagne variant detected; the horse does not pass on Ch.
• N/Ch: one copy of Ch; champagne dilution is expected and the horse can pass Ch on.
• Ch/Ch: two copies of Ch; champagne dilution is expected and the horse always passes Ch on.

The result helps breeders confirm champagne colour, plan combinations with cream, dun, silver and pattern loci more precisely, and estimate the chance of champagne-coloured offspring.