The Saga of the Manzanares: The Legendary Bullfighters of Alicante

“Epic and Art in the Bullring: The Immortal Saga of the Manzanares, the Legendary Bullfighters of Alicante”.

Alicante has a deep connection with bullfighting. It’s a meeting point for fans during the Hogueras Fair, which takes place at the end of June, coinciding with the start of summer and the feast of San Juan. The capital celebrates its most recognized festivals with music, fire… and bulls.

Throughout history, and especially in the last century, there have been several outstanding bullfighters in La Terreta, matadors who have rivaled in the ring of their land and have paraded the name of their city throughout the bullfighting world… El Tino, Pacorro, the Esplá brothers… but undoubtedly, the most universal is José María Dols Abellán, the second member of a glorious saga: The Manzanares.

José María Dols Abellán, known as Manzanares father, is the son of Pepe Manzanares, the founder of this dynasty. José María Dols Cantó, as the patriarch of a family that forever changed the history of Alicante’s bullfighting, was called. So far, it has four representatives. These are:

José María Dols Cantó (Pepe Manzanares)

José María Dols Cantó (Pepe Manzanares) (1927 – 2013). Novillero and later banderillero. He is the founder of the dynasty. He performed in his area in the so-called “economic novilladas” before becoming a subordinate of long trajectory. He figured in the squads of right-handed Alicante bullfighters like Vicente Blau “El Tino”, Francisco Antón “Pacorro” or Vicente Fernández “El Caracol”. Once retired, he closely followed the first steps in the profession of Gregorio Tébar “El Inclusero” before seeing how his son burst forcefully into the rings to become a figure of bullfighting.

José María Dols Abellán (José María Manzanares padre)

José María Dols Abellán (José María Manzanares father) (1953 – 2014). Son of Pepe Manzanares. Leading novillero in the early 70s, he formed a pair with José Luis Galloso, before taking a luxury alternative in his native Alicante, from the hands of Luis Miguel Dominguín on June 24, 1971. Paradigm of classic, elegant and orthodox bullfighting, continuator of the line of master Ordóñez. Bullfighter of bullfighters, he has three Puertas Grandes in Las Ventas (1977, 1978 and 1993). He retired from bullfighting on May 1, 2006 in Seville. His own colleagues carried him out on their shoulders through the Puerta del Príncipe.

José María Dols Samper (José María Manzanares son)

José María Dols Samper (José María Manzanares son) (1982). Son of José María Manzanares, he is one of the references of the generation of matadors of the beginning of the century. He took the alternative on June 24, 2003 in Alicante from the hands of Enrique Ponce. Continuator of the concept, style and successes of his progenitor, he has two Puertas Grandes in the square of Las Ventas in Madrid (2011 and 2016) and three Puertas del Príncipe in the Real Maestranza of Seville (2011 and 2012, on two occasions), among many other successes in squares of all kinds.

Manuel Dols Samper (Manuel Manzanares)

Manuel Dols Samper (Manuel Manzanares). (1986). Son of José María Manzanares father and brother of José María Manzanares son. Unlike his family, he focuses his steps towards the world of rejoneo. His teacher is the master Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza, from whom he receives his first notions, as well as being his godfather of alternative, which he receives in Nîmes in the Pentecost Fair of the 2011 season. He is so far the last link in a dynasty that has given glory to bullfighting and has put the city that gave birth to them, on the shores of the Mediterranean, at the top.

José Miguel Arruego

Bullfighting journalist

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