The Hogueras Fair in Alicante reached one of its high points with a bullfight in which the quality of the bulls and the individual personalities of the matadors made all the difference. Alejandro Talavante left the arena on the shoulders of supporters after cutting two ears, while Morante de la Puebla, despite earning one ear from each of his bulls, refused to join the triumphant procession because he disagreed with the president’s decisions.
Juan Ortega completed the line-up with a performance of considerable artistic merit, particularly against the sixth bull. However, his sword work prevented him from turning the full quality of his performances into a greater number of trophies.
The fifth event in Alicante’s season-ticket programme featured bulls from Santiago Domecq, whose breeding ranch was making its debut at this venue. The string of bulls performed very well overall, with two animals standing out in particular: the outstanding third bull and the brave sixth.
With 9,523 spectators in the stands, the afternoon produced several compelling performances, moments of inspiration and a controversy over the awarding of trophies that ultimately shaped the conclusion.
Morante de la Puebla gave one of the most memorable performances of the fair. The Sevillian matador demonstrated his ability to express the art of bullfighting with individuality and depth, particularly in his second appearance, when he delivered a performance of exceptional artistic quality.
The fourth bull provided Morante with the opportunity to demonstrate his mastery, turning the encounter into a succession of moments of artistry and control. His distinctive style, built around natural movement, composure and precise positioning, produced a performance that deeply impressed the spectators.
He was awarded one ear from each bull, although the president refused to grant a second ear for his performance against the fourth, despite strong public demand.
Disappointed by that decision and what he regarded as unequal treatment in the awarding of trophies, Morante refused to leave the bullring on the shoulders of supporters. His decision added an element of protest to a performance that, in artistic terms, ranked among the highlights of the afternoon.
Alejandro Talavante was the afternoon’s biggest winner in terms of trophies. The matador from Extremadura cut both ears from the third bull, an exceptional animal from Santiago Domecq that offered outstanding opportunities for artistic expression and to which Talavante responded from the very beginning.
His performance opened with Talavante on his knees, executing circular passes. This bold opening immediately captured the crowd’s attention. From there, he developed a flowing, connected and varied faena, making the most of a bull that maintained its quality and interest throughout.
The concluding passes and final manoletinas—a series of tight, dramatic passes named after the legendary matador Manolete—provided a fitting finish to a performance that received an enthusiastic response from the stands. Effective sword work completed the triumph, earning him both ears.
The bull, named Revolucionario, number 54, displayed exceptional qualities and had a strong case for being awarded a lap of honour around the ring after its death, a distinction recognising an outstanding bull. Its quality played a decisive role in one of the most complete performances of the Hogueras Fair.
Talavante had also received applause after his first appearance, during which an official warning was sounded. Nevertheless, the afternoon’s final balance was defined by the emphatic success of his performance against the third bull.
Juan Ortega once again demonstrated the distinctive character of his approach to bullfighting. The Sevillian matador impressed with both the capote, the larger cape used in the opening stages, and the muleta, the smaller red cloth used in the final stage. Both appearances featured moments of elegance and artistic expression.
His performance against the sixth bull was particularly noteworthy. Facing a brave animal, Ortega found the conditions to develop a high-quality faena based on composure, purity of movement and an emphasis on depth.
The crowd acknowledged his work with applause after the first bull and awarded him one ear after the second. However, greater precision with the sword could have substantially increased his tally of trophies.
The overall impression was of a highly accomplished artistic performance whose final reward did not fully reflect the quality of his work in the ring.
The Santiago Domecq breeding ranch made a strong impression at Alicante’s bullring. The bulls were well presented and performed very well overall, with the exception of the first, which proved more difficult to handle.
The third stood out for its exceptional quality, while the sixth displayed great bravery. Both animals allowed Talavante and Ortega to demonstrate their individual approaches to bullfighting.
The performance of the string of bulls underlined the importance of the animals’ qualities in shaping an afternoon of bullfighting. Their behaviour created opportunities for the matadors to excel and helped make the fifth event in the season-ticket programme one of particularly high artistic quality.
The event began with a minute’s silence in memory of Manolo Carrillo, an Alicante-born bullfighter, businessman and matador’s manager who had died during the previous night. The tribute honoured a figure closely associated with Alicante’s bullfighting world.
Among the supporting teams, Javier Ambel received recognition from the crowd after placing the banderillas on the fifth bull.
The afternoon concluded with Talavante leaving the ring on the shoulders of supporters, Morante making his disagreement with the president clear, and Ortega having delivered a performance of considerable artistic merit. These three different interpretations of success, combined with the excellent performance of the Santiago Domecq bulls, made the fifth event of the 2026 Hogueras Fair one of its most memorable occasions.
Alicante Bullring. Fifth event in the season-ticket programme for the 2026 Hogueras Fair. Attendance: 9,523 spectators, filling more than three-quarters of the bullring, on a hot afternoon.
Santiago Domecq. Well presented and of very good overall quality, with the first proving more difficult. The third was outstanding, while the sixth displayed great bravery.
Applause after an official warning; two ears.
One ear and one ear, with strong public demand for a second ear after his second bull.
Applause and one ear.
A minute’s silence was observed after the matadors’ entrance procession in memory of Manolo Carrillo, an Alicante-born bullfighter, businessman and matador’s manager who died during the previous night. Javier Ambel received recognition from the crowd after placing the banderillas on the fifth bull.
Fotografías: A.Vigueras – Eventos Mare Nostrum
Specialists in communication, information, and the promotion of bullfighting.
Secure the best seat for the 2027 Las Hogueras de San Juan bullfighting festival in Alicante. Servitoro is the official ticket office for bullfighting events.
BUYIs this your first time at a bullfight? Enhance your experience at the Alicante Bullring even further with the book “TORO.” This guide provides a detailed explanation of how a bullfight unfolds. In just 10 minutes, you can become an expert in the art of bullfighting.
