Madrid Review – May 29, 2026

Talavante Rescues the Afternoon with the Only Bull Offering Any Possibilities at Las Ventas

This Thursday’s San Isidro Fair produced one of those afternoons in Madrid where expectations inside the ring fell well short of what had been anticipated beforehand. The Garcigrande corrida, awaited with great interest by the Las Ventas crowd, lacked quality overall and ultimately left the spotlight to a substitute bull from Torrealta, with which Alejandro Talavante earned the only trophy of the afternoon.

With a full house and the traditional “No Tickets Available” sign displayed at Las Ventas, Morenito de Aranda, Alejandro Talavante and Pablo Aguado faced an uneven and disappointing group of bulls, lacking both strength and emotion. Only the second substitute bull of the afternoon gave the matadors a genuine chance to shine.

Talavante found in that fifth bull, a Torrealta replacement, the animal with the most class and rhythm of the corrida. The Extremaduran matador began his faena on his knees to quickly connect with the Madrid crowd before producing a performance built on smoothness and composure on the right hand.

The opening series carried depth and continuity, guiding the bull with notable control and harmony. He also produced quality natural passes on the left hand, although the bull gradually began to fade as the faena progressed.

Even so, Talavante maintained the audience’s attention with a tightly executed closing section at close quarters before finishing with an effective sword thrust. After a warning, the effort was rewarded with an ear. With his first bull, however, he was unable to rise above a discreet performance.

Morenito de Aranda once again demonstrated determination and commitment throughout the afternoon. The Burgos-born matador remained firm and courageous in front of a difficult and uninspiring lot.

With his first bull, he stood out through attitude and resilience, crafting a hard-earned faena against a complicated animal with little willingness to charge. A well-executed kill earned him a warm ovation from the crowd.

The fourth bull also offered limited opportunities, although Morenito managed to leave several notable right-handed passes while constantly searching for rhythm and authority. Following another sincere performance and an efficient sword thrust, he again received recognition from the Madrid spectators.

Pablo Aguado, meanwhile, never found the right conditions to express his elegant style. The Sevillian matador remained largely unnoticed with both bulls from his lot, facing animals lacking spark and transmission, and was met with silence on both occasions.

Among the bullfighting crews, banderillero Iván García received a strong ovation after an outstanding banderillas tercio with the third bull of the afternoon.

The corrida ultimately ended with a bittersweet feeling inside the Madrid arena. The excitement generated beforehand by the Garcigrande breeding was met with the reality of a disappointing afternoon, saved only by the quality of the fifth substitute bull from Torrealta and Talavante’s ability to make the most of it.