Madrid review – 13 September 2026

Emotion and demanding conditions defined September’s first bull-breeding challenge at Madrid’s Monumental de Las Ventas. Bulls from Valdellán and Juan Luis Fraile, together with a notable replacement bull from El Montecillo, provided an afternoon of difficulties but also several moments of considerable interest.

All three matadors responded with commitment. Alberto Lamelas received the greatest recognition of the afternoon after a determined performance that earned him a lap of honour following a request from the crowd for an ear. Pérez Mota received ovations after both of his bulls, while José Carlos Venegas produced two significant performances but missed out on trophies because of errors with the sword.

Lamelas stands firm against a demanding opponent

Alberto Lamelas produced one of the most intense moments of the afternoon with the second bull, a demanding Juan Luis Fraile that displayed considerable fighting spirit.

From his opening muleta passes, Lamelas showed his determination to rise to the challenge. He remained firm on both horns and gradually imposed himself on an attack that demanded precision, positioning and control.

There were several deep and powerful muleta passes, particularly when he managed to keep the bull’s charge low and extend its movement through the pass. The performance maintained its intensity despite the difficulties posed by the animal. The Madrid crowd recognised his efforts with an ovation, although his work with the sword prevented him from earning a greater reward.

The fifth, from Valdellán, had mobility and transmitted plenty of emotion to the stands. Lamelas chose to welcome it on his knees directly in front of the gate as it entered the ring, before following with an impressive series of verónicas with the cape.

With the muleta, he again showed determination against a bull that demanded authority and control. Lamelas produced several clean, well-drawn passes, although the performance gradually lost momentum towards the end. A good sword thrust brought the faena to a close and, following a request for an ear from the crowd, Lamelas took a lap of honour around the ring.

Pérez Mota shows commitment against a difficult lot

Pérez Mota faced the least favourable lot of the afternoon. With the first, from Valdellán, he produced some interesting passages with the right hand, although the bull failed to maintain sufficient continuity.

The fourth, from Juan Luis Fraile, gradually lost strength following a lengthy banderillas stage. The Cádiz-born matador tried to maintain the dignity of his performance against an opponent that offered increasingly fewer opportunities.

As Pérez Mota went in to kill, the bull caught him in a dramatic incident. Fortunately, he escaped serious injury and was able to continue. The crowd recognised his determination with an ovation.

Venegas produces two notable performances

José Carlos Venegas found one of the best opportunities of the afternoon with the replacement third bull. The El Montecillo bull charged with rhythm and kept its head low, allowing the Jaén-born matador to express himself particularly well with his left hand.

His finest moments came when fighting al natural, using the muleta in his left hand. Venegas produced elegant, composed bullfighting and succeeded in raising the atmosphere in the stands, but mistakes with the sword ultimately left the performance without a trophy.

The sixth, from Juan Luis Fraile, also proved willing to collaborate. Venegas made good use of its qualities and constructed another important performance, producing notable passages on both sides.

Once again, however, the sword became the main obstacle. Three unsuccessful attempts prevented any possibility of a trophy, and his performance was acknowledged with applause.

A demanding afternoon with plenty of interest in Madrid

September’s first bull-breeding challenge produced a varied bullfight, with several animals demanding considerable technical ability and physical commitment from the matadors.

Lamelas succeeded in turning his efforts into the afternoon’s greatest recognition, while Venegas left the impression that a much more significant result could have been achieved had he been more accurate with the sword.

Pérez Mota, meanwhile, showed commitment and determination against a lot that offered limited guarantees, earning two ovations for his efforts.

The combination of breeders also highlighted the different characteristics of the Valdellán and Juan Luis Fraile bulls, together with the notable appearance of the replacement bull from El Montecillo, which produced one of the finest and most promising charges of the afternoon.