Bullfighting And Firebombs

Bullfighting in Spain is often venal and corrupt, but you don't often hear of mafia-style struggles for domination of the art.

In a Toledo, Spain, courtroom, evidence is being heard that the followers of one bullfighter, Jose Miguel Callejon Martin, hired Columbian criminals to firebomb the horses of a rival, Sergio Galan. By mistake the Columbians targeted the horses of another bullfighting clan, the Domecqs of Spain's Sherry capital, Jerez de la Frontera. Six horses died, another 6 took years to recover from their injuries. The Domecqs are seeking redress for their losses.

I've seen the Domecq horses personally, when I lived in Spain in the mid-'80's. Not only do the Domecqs make money from Sherry and Brandy, they also have bullfighters in the family, play polo, and run a Spanish Riding School that features Cartujano horses, known in Austria as Lippizans.

Here's Luis Domecq in the bullring: