Rafael Molina Sánchez "Lagartijo", the son of "Niño de Dios", and nephew of "Poleo", was born in Cordoba on November 27, 1841. He fought in his home town on September 8, 1851 when he was nine years old. On September 29, 1865, he became a full bullfighter (he took the alternativa) at Ubeda. His sponsor (apoderao) was "Gordito"; "Lagartijo" killed "Carabuco", a bull from the ranch (ganadería) owned by the Marchioness of Ontiveros.
From that date until his retirement, he took part in 1632 bullfights (400 of them in Madrid); he needed infirmary only once, and left it afterwards to continue his performance. He killed 4867 bulls in 29 consecutive seasons, and was active for forty-two taurine years. He was seriously gored seven times. He died on August 1, 1900 in Córdoba.
Quotes about him
- "He fought no more in Seville" (Seville, April 20, 1884)
- "One might say that he was born in the hollow of two applauding hands." (Pascual Millán.)
- "The best bullfighter of the 19th century was 'Lagartijo'." (Obituary notice in "El Toreo".)
(TEN MASTERS by Bernardo V. Carande, Los Toros by Ed. Indice, page 117)
