Among all the bloodlines of the fighting bull, there are two that stand out for their peculiarity and almost exotic nature. Known as sub-breeds, they emerged at the beginning of the last century and, largely for romantic reasons, are still maintained by a small number of breeders, despite changing fashions and the natural evolution of bullfighting moving in a different direction.
One of these sub-breeds was created in the 19th century by Don Diego Hidalgo Barquero, a canon of Seville Cathedral. He was responsible for an unusual genetic combination, crossing his Vistahermosa cows with two young bulls of Vázquez origin, giving rise to the bloodline that bears his name.
Later on, once the herd passed into other hands, cows from the Cabrera line and sires from Tamarón, and even García Pedrajas, were added to the mix. This resulted in a type of bull with very distinctive characteristics, both in physical appearance and in behaviour.
Today, this bloodline is represented by only four or five breeding farms, all of them relatively small in terms of numbers. While the Tamarón influence contributed class and quality in the bulls’ behaviour, as well as speed and excitement, the Vázquez heritage is still evident in their morphology: a somewhat robust and powerful type, and especially in their coat colours. The most common are berrendo aparejado (particularly in black, red and chestnut) and alunarado, alongside other frequent coats such as burraco or salpicado, red, chorreado and, on occasion, grey.
The flagship breeding farm of this bloodline is José Benítez Cubero, which has remained in the hands of the same family for more than ninety years and has been present in Madrid for over eight decades. On many occasions, especially during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Benítez Cubero bulls featured on prestigious line-ups, when the leading matadors competed fiercely to face them.
Today, their class and nobility are particularly appreciated in mounted bullfighting (rejoneo). Their qualities were first valued by Álvaro Domecq Hermoso de Mendoza and later by Diego Ventura, who requested these bulls and kept them in the main bullfighting fairs. For this reason, it has not been unusual to see bulls of this bloodline in rejoneo events at major bullrings such as Seville and Madrid.
To speak of Benítez Cubero is therefore to speak of the foundation herd of the Hidalgo Barquero bloodline. All other breeders that maintain this blood originate from this same iron, including the now-extinct Diego Garrido, and the herds of Lora Sangrán, Marcelino Acosta, and Jódar y Ruchena, owned by the Valdenebro family.
Key Facts
- Genetic base: Vistahermosa + Vázquez
- Later influences: Cabrera (rusticity) + Tamarón (class and quality)
- Foundation herd: José Benítez Cubero
- Main current use: Mounted bullfighting / Rejoneo (Hermoso de Mendoza, Diego Ventura)
