Rafael Molina Sánchez
Spanish bullfighter (1841–1900)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rafael Molina Sánchez (November 27, 1841 – August 1, 1900), called Lagartijo (lizard), was a Spanish bullfighter.
Early life
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.
