Saphiro

**Special Thanks to Ginger Vosburg of Rainey Valley Farm, LLC  and Robbie Thompson of Lusitanos Los Mejores for use of the photos contained on this page.**

Because the champagne gene is a relatively newly documented gene and has yet to be isolated, there are many theories as to how the gene interacts with others. Some believe that because the location of the champagne gene and cream gene are so close together, that a horse could not be homozygous for both the cream gene and the champagne gene. However, this theory is unproven. In fact, we now have what we believe to be a cremello champagne, our first documented champagne Andalusian: Saphiro!

At first glance, Saphiro may look like a typical cremello - blue eyes, pink skin, and white coat. His test results from the UC Davis reveal that he is indeed a cremello, also homozygous for the agouti. However, there are a few physical similarities to a cream champagne. For example, he does exhibit some mottling around the eyes and genitals...but as we know, "mottling alone does not a champagne horse make."

It is this horse's progeny that tipped the owners off that they might have something even more unusual than a cremello. When bred to a chestnut mare (RD Chica), Saphiro produced what appeared to be a gold cream champagne (Guidaleza R). When bred to a bay Andalusian mare (Querida), he produced what appears to be an amber cream champagne (Mateo). Because Saphiro is homozygous for the cream gene, he can never produce a foal that carries only the champagne gene, which makes it impossible to have a “straight” champagne foal from Saphiro. However, his cream champagne offspring may produce a gold, amber, or classic champagne (in addition to non-dilutes, single cream dilutes and cream champagnes of all shades) when bred to a non-dilute.

The owners contacted noted color genetics expert, Dr. Phil Sponenberg, one first to document the champagne gene. Dr. Sponenberg's replies validated their belief that Saphiro could indeed carry two cream genes along with the champagne gene.

In order for Saphiro to carry the champagne gene, he would have had to inherit it from a parent. Saphiro’s sire, UMBABA, is a sooty palomino - no champagne gene. However, his dam, EPOCA (pictured at right), appears to be a gold cream champagne.

Not only does Epoca appear to be a champagne herself, she also produced a perlino stallion, Q, who is also believed to carry the champagne gene since he sired a what appears to be a classic cream champagne colt, Majodero (pictured below) who is out of a chestnut mare.

We will continue to post information as it becomes available to us. We are continually researching this very special case. Check back often for updates!

Case Study: GUIDALEZA R

This gorgeous young mare appeared to be a gold cream champagne. Notice her striking blue eyes, pale gold coat, and bright pink skin. Her DNA test from the UC Davis reveals that she is homozygous red (e), heterozygous agouti (Aa), and HETEROZYGOUS cream (N/Cr). A later DNA test by the UC Davis revealed that she carries the apricot (Apr) gene, a recessive gene that, when combined with the cream gene, creates a pseudo-champagne.

Case Study: MATEO