Madrid review – October 12 2026

Las Ventas draws a full house on 12 October

Las Ventas bullring was packed to capacity on Monday, 12 October, Spain’s National Day, for one of the most eagerly anticipated events of Madrid’s bullfighting season. The occasion attracted a full house, with a ‘No hay billetes’ sign displayed at the box office. However, the bulls’ performance prevented the afternoon from reaching the artistic heights suggested by the line-up.

Morante de la Puebla, Héctor Gutiérrez and Aarón Palacio, who was confirming his alternative — the formal ceremony through which a novillero becomes a matador — faced a demanding challenge with bulls from the Garcigrande and Núñez del Cuvillo ranches. The animals varied in appearance and performance, and although all three matadors showed commitment and determination, only a handful of passages truly brought the crowd to life.

The occasion also had a strong ceremonial element. The two lines marking the tercio, the section of the ring closest to the barriers, were painted in the colours of Ceuta’s flag, and the anthems of Ceuta and Spain were played before the corrida.

Aarón Palacio confirms his alternative with distinction

Aarón Palacio was one of the afternoon’s leading names. The young matador confirmed his alternative in Madrid with a first bull from Garcigrande, which proved to be the best of the afternoon. It charged with class and energy at the muleta, qualities the Aragonese bullfighter understood well as he built a performance that gathered momentum with each series.

Palacio found his best rhythm on the right-hand side. With the muleta presented cleanly and his movements composed, he quickly established a connection with the crowd. The final series was the high point of his performance, demonstrating both his understanding of the art of bullfighting and the promise of his personal style.

His sword work prevented a more substantial reward, and he had to settle for acknowledging the applause after a warning from the president. Nevertheless, his debut as a matador at Las Ventas left a positive impression.

With the sixth bull, from Núñez del Cuvillo, Palacio again showed willingness from the capote onwards and searched for opportunities to make his mark. However, the bull offered little cooperation, preventing the performance from gaining momentum. He finished to silence.

Morante gives everything against a difficult fourth bull

Morante de la Puebla faced a fourth bull that moved but failed to deliver clear, consistent charges. The Sevillian matador had to create much of the performance himself, relying on firmness, persistence and his ability to find a way through the animal’s limitations.

His determination paid off in several passages with the muleta, particularly with the natural — the left-handed pass. Two stood out for their quality, drawing a strong response from the stands as the crowd recognised his efforts to extract depth and expression from an uncooperative bull.

Morante sustained the faena through commitment and exposure, attempting to coax the animal beyond its limitations. The connection with the crowd grew as he continued searching for the artistic expression the bull was reluctant to provide.

His lack of accuracy with the sword prevented him from receiving a greater reward, and he acknowledged an ovation after a warning. In his first appearance, his bull had shown little willingness to engage, limiting his options and resulting in silence from the stands.

Héctor Gutiérrez finds his best moments with the third

Héctor Gutiérrez also encountered difficulties with the cattle, although the third bull, from Núñez del Cuvillo, improved as the faena progressed and allowed the Mexican matador to produce some measured and composed passages.
As the bull’s performance developed, Gutiérrez took advantage of the improvement to build a series of well-drawn passes on the right. His approach was calm and measured, with an emphasis on technique, expression and the flow of each muletazo.

He also produced some promising moments with the natural, although the performance never quite reached the intensity needed to become a fully rounded faena. He finished with a sequence of bernadinas — close, tightly executed passes — followed by an effective sword thrust. The conclusion earned him an ovation after a small section of the crowd called for an ear.

The fifth bull, also from Garcigrande, offered him no opportunity to build on those earlier moments, and his second appearance ended in silence.

An inconsistent bullfight limits the overall result

The bulls from Garcigrande and Núñez del Cuvillo varied considerably in conformation and performance. Some, particularly the third and fourth, drew protests from sections of the crowd, while the first stood out for its suitability for the task.

The inconsistency of the animals shaped the course of the corrida, forcing all three matadors to rely on their skill and determination to sustain the audience’s interest. Their commitment contrasted with the limitations of much of the stock, preventing a stronger artistic result on an afternoon that had generated considerable anticipation.

The final scorecard recorded ovations for Morante de la Puebla, Héctor Gutiérrez and Aarón Palacio, who confirmed his alternative at Las Ventas. Juan Sierra was also applauded from the ring after banderillear the sixth bull, having placed the banderillas during the second stage of the bullfight.