Rejones at San Isidro: More than half a century of tradition
11 de March de 2026
If you are a true, hard-core bullfighting fan, these are the line-ups for you. Here the bull is the true star of the show, and three matadors must bring hunger, ambition and skill to face it. The torista style of bullfighting has its place at San Isidro — these are the key fights to watch.
There are bullfighting fans who worship the bull itself, believing that the animal is the true foundation of the spectacle — even more important than the matador facing it.
This does not mean they underestimate the courage of the men who risk their lives in the ring. Quite the opposite. What they truly admire is the bravery required to face what they call “real bulls”, the kind of animal they most identify with.
These bulls usually come from less commercial bloodlines and ranches, with genetics and behaviour that differ from the more familiar fighting bulls seen in many festivals.
For this reason, although these events follow the same regulations as those featuring the top stars of bullfighting and more commercial bulls, the atmosphere and expectations are completely different.
Here we present the bullfights that torista fans have marked in red during the upcoming San Isidro Festival, together with our analysis.
Saturday, 9 May – 7:00 pm. Bulls from La Quinta for Miguel Ángel Perera, Daniel Luque and Tomás Rufo. This is the first of the two bullfights that La Quinta will present during San Isidro. The line-up features established matadors who have already achieved important successes with this ranch.
La Quinta is widely considered the leading representative of the Santa Coloma-Buendía bloodline, and this is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious torista line-ups of the entire fair.
Wednesday, 13 May – 7:00 pm. Bulls from Partido de Resina for Antonio Ferrera, Calita and Jesús Enrique Colombo. After the strong impression left by their bulls in Las Ventas last September, the historic Partido de Resina ranch — the former “Pablo Romero” bulls — returns to San Isidro aiming to confirm its revival.
Three capable matadors, each with a different and complementary style, will take on this challenge.
Saturday, 16 May – 7:00 pm. Bulls from La Quinta for El Cid, Álvaro Lorenzo and Manuel Diosleguarde (confirmation of alternative at Las Ventas). This is the second appearance of La Quinta during the fair.
The line-up combines two young matadors with plenty to prove and a veteran legend, El Cid, who returns to San Isidro and to the arena where he achieved some of the greatest triumphs of his career.
Wednesday, 20 May – 7:00 pm. Bulls from Saltillo for José Carlos Venegas, Juan Leal and Juan de Castilla. This may well be the bullfight most eagerly awaited by torista enthusiasts.
These are the famous Saltillo bulls bred by Moreno Silva, known for their demanding nature. Three young matadors will stake everything on this opportunity, hoping their courage and commitment will impress the most demanding sector of the Las Ventas crowd.
Sunday, 31 May – 7:00 pm. Bulls from Adolfo Martín for Antonio Ferrera, Manuel Escribano and Paco Ureña. A true classic of both the fair and Las Ventas: the famous Albaserrada-line bulls from Adolfo Martín.
Facing them is a veteran, experienced trio of matadors, all well-versed in handling these powerful grey bulls from the ranch of Los Alijares.
Tuesday, 2 June – 7:00 pm. Bulls from José Escolar for Pepe Moral, Damián Castaño and Gómez del Pilar. Another young line-up, but one more than ready — as the saying goes — to face the demanding bulls of José Escolar.
This ranch, strongly associated with Madrid, blends the Buendía and Saltillo bloodlines, producing bulls with a very distinctive character. Several of the most memorable bulls seen in Las Ventas in recent years have come from this ranch.
Saturday, June 6th – 7:00 pm. Victorino Martín bulls for Morenito de Aranda, Fernando Adrián, and Román. The quintessential Madrid bull ranch. Arguably the most important in the history of Las Ventas. They come to San Isidro with a different trio, far removed from the gladiators of yesteryear. Three bullfighters of different ranks and styles, but with experience and the ability to emerge victorious from the challenge.
