Madrid review – 27 September 2026

Venegas takes the only ear of the Las Ventas ganadería contest

José Carlos Venegas was the only matador to be awarded a trophy at the Las Ventas bullring during the ganadería contest. The Jaén-born bullfighter, who replaced Cristian Pérez, cut an ear from the opening bull, from Saltillo.

The other major protagonist of the afternoon was ‘Imaginario’, from Pallarés, the fifth bull, which particularly impressed during the bull’s encounters with the picador and was ultimately awarded the prize for the bravest bull of the contest.

The Madrid fixture brought together six different breeding lines in the ring: Saltillo, Partido de Resina, Castillejo de Huebra, Conde de la Corte, Pallarés and Valdellán, in a format designed to assess the different qualities of each bull throughout the afternoon.

An ear for Venegas with the opening Saltillo

Venegas immediately found possibilities in the serious-looking Saltillo bull that opened the contest. The bull showed nobility and allowed the matador to build a measured performance based on rhythm, control and linked passes.

The strongest passages came with the right hand, where Venegas connected several series and succeeded in engaging the crowd.

He also produced some notable left-handed work, with long, well-shaped passes, before bringing the performance to a close with a series of low muleta passes.

A well-placed sword thrust prompted a request for a trophy from the crowd. The president granted the ear and Venegas walked away with one ear.

His second appearance, against a bull from Conde de la Corte, proved considerably more difficult. With little opportunity to repeat his earlier success, he finished to silence after a warning.

‘Imaginario’, from Pallarés, stands out in the bull’s encounters with the picador

The most significant moment of the contest from a breeding perspective came with the fifth bull.

‘Imaginario’, from Pallarés, gave an impressive display at the picador, making four charges at Borja Lorente. Its performance during this part of the contest ultimately proved decisive in its receiving the award for the bravest bull of the afternoon.

Isaac Fonseca was charged with handling the bull after showing plenty of intent with the cape.

He began his muleta work with purpose and found his best passages on the left hand. Fonseca made the most of the bull’s quality while it lasted, although the animal gradually lost strength as the performance progressed.

His first attempt with the sword was unsuccessful, and the crowd acknowledged his performance with an ovation as he took his bow.

With the second bull of his lot, from Partido de Resina, the Madrid-born matador found less cooperation and was met with silence after a warning.

Chicharro finishes without a trophy

Alejandro Chicharro faced the third bull, from Castillejo de Huebra, before closing the afternoon with the Valdellán bull.

The young matador was unable to find enough material to build a significant performance on either occasion and was met with silence after both appearances.

As a result, Venegas’s ear remained the afternoon’s only trophy, while the behaviour of the bulls—particularly during their encounters with the picador—provided one of the main talking points of the contest.

‘Imaginario’ named the best bull of the contest

The judging panel ultimately selected ‘Imaginario’, from Pallarés, as the bravest bull of the afternoon.

The other awards went to Borja Lorente, who was named best picador, while Raúl Ruiz received the prize for best supporting bullfighter.

Raúl Cebadera also received an ovation after his performance with the banderillas on the fourth bull.

Attendance at the bullring was just over one third of its capacity.