The Hogueras Fair in Alicante witnessed one of those afternoons that leave a lasting impression. Borja Jiménez, David de Miranda and Tomás Rufo left the bullring on the shoulders of supporters after sharing six ears between them in front of the bulls of Victoriano del Río. The result confirmed the appeal of a line-up featuring three young matadors with the talent and ambition to continue rising through the ranks.
The fourth event in Alicante’s season-ticket programme featured a well-presented, serious-looking string of bulls, each offering different possibilities during the fight. Although the animals did not reach the exceptional standard of some of the finest bulls for which the Madrid-based breeding ranch is renowned, they gave all three matadors opportunities to demonstrate their skills and build their success.
The key was making the most of the opportunities available. All three matadors earned rewards for their performances and, with accurate sword work, turned their efforts into tangible results. Their joint exit on the shoulders of supporters also provided an encouraging sign for a fair that is gathering momentum.
Borja Jiménez finished his afternoon with two ears from the fourth bull, having received applause after his first appearance. The Sevillian matador made the most of his second opponent’s qualities and brought his performance to a decisive conclusion to secure the full reward.
His overall result improved as the afternoon progressed. While his first performance earned no trophies, his second opened the door to a major triumph. Effective sword work helped complete his success.
David de Miranda provided one of the afternoon’s highlights. After his first bull, he completed a lap of honour following a strong public demand for an ear, although the president of the bullfight did not grant the trophy.
The matador from Huelva did not settle for that outcome. His second appearance offered the opportunity to secure a greater reward, and, despite an official warning, he cut both ears and guaranteed his place in the triumphant procession on supporters’ shoulders.
His scorecard reflected two contrasting moments: a performance recognised by the crowd but not rewarded with a trophy, followed by one that won the decisive approval of the spectators.
Tomás Rufo also left Alicante’s bullring with two ears, one from each of his bulls. The matador from Toledo delivered consistent performances in both appearances and completed the afternoon with a trophy from each opponent.
However, the fight against the sixth bull was overshadowed by accidents involving two members of his team, Fernando Sánchez and Andrés Revuelta. Sánchez received medical attention for a wound sustained in Bocairent, which reopened during the incident. Revuelta suffered multiple contusions to his right knee and ankle, as well as his left hand, and was awaiting X-ray examinations.
The final moments of the bullfight therefore brought a mixture of satisfaction at the artistic success and concern for the professionals injured during the last encounter.
The Victoriano del Río bulls stood out for their good presentation, although their behaviour varied. Their qualities were not easy to assess during the opening stages, but most eventually offered different possibilities during the matador’s work with the muleta, the smaller red cloth used in the final stage of the bullfight.
This was not a string of bulls that elevated the spectacle through exceptional quality alone. Nevertheless, it provided all three matadors with opportunities to build their performances. Their ability to make the most of those openings proved decisive in the final result.
The sight of Borja Jiménez, David de Miranda and Tomás Rufo leaving the bullring together on the shoulders of supporters summed up the outcome of the fourth event in the Hogueras Fair. Beyond the six ears awarded during the afternoon, the bullfight highlighted the ability of three young names to meet the expectations surrounding an especially attractive line-up.
The result gave the organisers further reason to back a combination of ambition, potential and proven ability to achieve success. With 5,810 spectators in the stands on an intensely hot afternoon, Alicante witnessed a convincing display of results that encourages continued interest in the development of all three matadors.
Alicante Bullring. Fourth event in the season-ticket programme for the 2026 Hogueras Fair.
Victoriano del Río. Well presented, with varied behaviour. Their qualities were difficult to assess in the opening stages, but most offered different possibilities during the final stage of the bullfight. Attendance: 5,810 spectators, on a very hot afternoon.
applause; two ears.
lap of honour following a strong public demand for an ear; two ears after an official warning.
one ear; one ear.
Fernando Sánchez and Andrés Revuelta, members of Tomás Rufo’s team, were injured during the fight against the sixth bull. Sánchez received medical attention for a wound in Bocairent that reopened as a result of the incident. Revuelta suffered multiple contusions to his right knee and ankle and his left hand, with X-ray examinations pending.
A. Vigueras / Eventos Mare Nostrum
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