Rafael Molina Sánchez

Rafael Molina Sánchez (November 27, 1841 – August 1, 1900), called Lagartijo (lizard), was a Spanish bullfighter.

Early life

Rafael Molina was born in Córdoba on November 27, 1841.^[1]

Career

On September 29, 1865, Lagartijo became a full bullfighter (he took the alternativa) at Úbeda. His sponsor (padrino) was Antonio Carmona y Luque, called El Gordito; Lagartijo killed Carabuco, a bull from the ranch (ganadería) owned by the Marchioness of Ontiveros.

During his career he was seriously gored seven times.^{[citation needed]}

In 1887, Lagartijo presented his sword at the alternativa of Rafael Guerra Bejarano, marking Guerra's elevation from an apprentice to a professional matador. A Spanish hand fan commemorating the occasion survives in the collection of the Staten Island Historical Society at Historic Richmond Town in New York.^[2]

Lagartijo retired from bullfighting in 1893.

Death

Rafael Molina died on August 1, 1900, in Córdoba.

Notes

^ "Fan, 1887". Online Collections Database. Staten Island Historical Society. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
^ "Fan, 1887". Online Collections Database. Staten Island Historical Society. Retrieved 12 December 2011.

External links

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[1] "Fan, 1887". Online Collections Database. Staten Island Historical Society. Retrieved 12 December 2011.

[2] "Fan, 1887". Online Collections Database. Staten Island Historical Society. Retrieved 12 December 2011.

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