Review Madrid – 2 October 2025

Madrid’s Autumn Fair began this Thursday at Las Ventas with a novillada from Antonio López Gibaja that never truly came to life. With the lack of spark from the bulls, it was the young toreros who had to supply the interest, especially Emiliano Osornio, who produced the afternoon’s most memorable sequences, and Sergio Sánchez, who also earned an ovation for his spirited opening performance.

The Mexican, returning to Madrid, showed a mature personality and a classical approach that resonated with the crowd. With the fifth novillo, a well-shaped specimen, he displayed the finest version of his toreo: a neat, composed cape with variety in the opening lances, followed by a muleta faena where he drew the bull along with smoothness and a low hand. His series down the right-hand side had depth and natural rhythm, transmitting maturity and calmness. A well-executed sword stroke secured him a deserved ovation.

Earlier, with his first opponent, he had managed to draw out what little potential the animal had, patiently coaxing every ounce from it. Nevertheless, the faena gradually lost intensity as the novillo weakened.

Sergio Sánchez, for his part, opened with great determination, going down on his knees in the centre of the ring to begin his faena to the first with a pass changed behind the back that stirred up the atmosphere. The novillo, noble and with some mobility, allowed the young man from Extremadura to string together well-shaped series. Yet despite his effort, the faena never fully took off. He finished with manoletinas and a solid sword thrust that brought him an ovation. His second adversary, far less cooperative, offered little to work with.

The third espada, Ignacio Candelas, was dealt the most unpromising lot of the afternoon and remained practically unnoticed, receiving silence after both of his performances.

The day unfolded in an atmosphere of expectation worthy of the fair’s opening, with over 14,000 spectators in the stands. However, the lack of class and transmission from the López Gibaja novillos ultimately conditioned the overall outcome of the contest.