Latif 1903

photo: archive

The desert-bred stallion Latif, born in 1903 and sired by Hamdani El Samra, was part of a broader movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to introduce original desert qualities—dryness, hardiness, and true Arabian type—into French state studs and private breeding programs. Bred by Anazeh Fedan Bedouins in Egypt he was described as a compact, finely built stallion of average height, with a dry head and large, expressive eyes. His neck was clean and well set, flowing into a well-laid shoulder and strong, short back with well-defined, but not overly prominent withers. His limbs were fine but hard and straight, with clearly defined tendons and excellent feet. While not an overly flashy horse, his overall harmony and authentic desert quality made a strong impression, particularly among breeders seeking to preserve functional type.
Latif came to France in 1909 and stood stud at Haras Nationaux in Pau. He was the sire of 38 purebred registered Arabian foals in France, but also of successful Anglo-Arabs and two Trakehner foals.
Latif's most important legacy came through his chestnut son Denouste, foaled in 1921 out of Djaima (by Khouri), bred by M. Gaston Lalagüe. Purchased by the French National Studs in 1924, Denouste became the most influential French Arabian stallion of his time. He was used extensively in the national program and became synonymous with quality, producing horses with balance, strong limbs, and a harmonious outline.
Through Denouste, Latif’s legacy extended far beyond French borders. Among Denouste's most notable offspring was Kann (Denouste × Kita), a French-bred stallion exported to Russia in 1930. Kann became an important sire at Tersk Stud, bringing a significant infusion of French blood into the emerging Russian Arabian program. His influence was marked by structure, dry quality, and a solid body making him the leading sources of athletic ability in Russian Arabians.
Another major contributor was Dikarka (Denouste × Carabine), a chestnut mare born in France and also sent to Tersk, where she became a key broodmare. She had 16 registered foals. Through her daughter Podruga, she became the grand-dam of the legendary stallion Patron (sire of U.S. top producer Padron) and of the mares Palba and Petarda. Latif's final foal was registered in 1923. His date of death remains unknown.