Rafael Peralta, the mythical rejoneador of La Puebla del Río (Sevilla), has died at age 92 in Seville because of severe pneumonia, as confirmed by the town hall of the town.
“With his loss, the world of bullfighting dismisses one of his most emblematic figures, a man who leaves an indelible footprint inside and out of the arena,” he says in a statement, adds that the burning chapel will open on Friday afternoon in the plenary hall of the Cigarrero City Council.
Rafael Peralta was born on June 4, 1933, and debuted as a rejoneador in 1957 in the Sevillian town of Constantine. Just a year later, he presented himself at the Real Maestranza de Sevilla with Bulls of Concha and Sierra, and in 1959 he participated for the first time in the San Isidro Fair of Madrid, sharing a poster with figures such as Julio Aparicio, Manolo Vázquez and Curro Girón against Restes de Sánchez Cobaleda.
His career was glowing. Very soon it positioned itself in the top of the ranks and became a regular of the big fairs. Together with his brother Angel, he became a legend rejoneador and both were part of the famous quartet of the riders of apotheosis, along with Álvaro Domecq and José Samuel Lupi, a generation of riders that marked a turning point in the rise of bullfighting on horseback.
Between 1970 and 1975 he starred in 548 celebrations and cut 1,788 ears, and was the leader of the ranks in the years 1972 and 1973. His style was characterized by loading the fate to the opposite python and his mastery in the pairs to the breakdown and two hands. His professional career extended for 44 seasons, remaining in force in the main squares until well into the 90s.
He also left his mark on the field as a farmer. Since 1953 he retained the contreras encaste, first under his name and later as Brothers Peralta. In his mare, Agrícola Peralta, he dedicated himself to the breeding of horses of pure Spanish and cartujana line, many of which triumphed in the rejoneo and, currently, in different equestrian competitions.
Polyphacetic and passionate about the Andalusian culture, in 1977 he recorded the album Between two mares and was distinguished with the key of the SGAE as the author of Flemish compositions and letters. He also promoted the Rancho El Rocío tourism project, a pioneer in Convention Tourism in the province of Seville.
His social commitment was also notorious. He was the promoter of the Festival for the benefit of Cáritas in Seville and, for half a century, he uninterruptedly organized the Festival of the Asilo Sancti Spiritu and Santa Ana de Medina de Rioseco (Valladolid) House Festival, where he was an adopted son. Brother of the Brotherhood of the Baratillo of Seville and number one of the Sacramental Brotherhood of the Puebla del Río was decorated in 2002 with the Golden Cross of the Civil Order of Social Solidarity, granted by the Ministry of Labor and delivered by Queen Sofia.
“With the death of Rafael Peralta, not only a symbol of the Bravo Campo and the horse disappears but of the Andalusian culture, with a legacy that will remain alive in the memory of future generations,” concludes the note of the City Council of La Puebla del Río, which declared him a favorite son of the town with his brother Angel.