The San Isidro Fair experienced another major afternoon this Thursday at Las Ventas. In yet another sold-out event, Sebastián Castella came within touching distance of opening Madrid’s Puerta Grande for the seventh time, but poor sword work denied him what looked certain to be a major triumph after an outstanding performance against an exceptional Victoriano del Río bull awarded the vuelta al ruedo.

The fourth bull of the afternoon, named “Cantaor”, became the star of the corrida. A brave and powerful animal full of quality and transmission, it allowed the French matador to display his finest bullfighting and strong connection with the Madrid crowd. Castella began the faena with intensity, calling the bull from the centre of the ring and opening with an exciting pass behind the back that immediately ignited the atmosphere.

From there, the performance grew in importance. Castella produced deep, controlled series on both sides, keeping the bull close to the muleta and showing authority throughout. The natural left-handed passes reached a special level, long and full of feeling, taking advantage of the bull’s low, committed charge. Las Ventas responded loudly to a faena packed with firmness, emotion and quality.

The closing bernadinas completed what seemed a clear Puerta Grande performance. However, failure with the sword and later with the descabello cost him the maximum trophy. The crowd still recognised the magnitude of the performance with a huge ovation during the lap of honour for both bull and matador.

Castella’s first bull offered far fewer possibilities. It took time to settle and never allowed the Frenchman to fully develop the faena.

Emilio de Justo produced the best moments of his afternoon with the second bull of the corrida. The Extremaduran matador tried to nurse the animal carefully in the opening stages, managing several meritorious right-handed passes. The faena faded as the bull lost strength, although he finished with manoletinas before receiving an ovation after the kill. The fifth bull offered little opportunity and the performance never took off.

Tomás Rufo also struggled to find clear options with his two bulls. The Toledo-born matador showed determination and composure, but neither animal provided enough quality or commitment to allow him to shine. He was met with silence after both performances.

The corrida once again confirmed the excellent form of Victoriano del Río’s breeding operation in Madrid and produced one of the most important faenas of this year’s San Isidro Fair, although the sword prevented Castella from leaving Las Ventas through the Puerta Grande.