Valdemorillo Chronicle: Juan Ortega Opens the Puerta Grande at San Blas

The sun finally came out in Valdemorillo, with the ‘Sold Out’ sign hanging at the ticket office, confirming the strength of an artistic lineup beyond Morante. And amid the stormy conditions, Juan Ortega once again delivered true, deep-rooted bullfighting to maintain his special bond with La Candelaria. Two ears and a Puerta Grande exit to bring the mountain town’s cycle to a close.

It was an afternoon of great expectation, shaped by the rain and by a Torrealta bullfight that showed more intention than power, ultimately undone by a lack of strength. There was refined verónica work from Pablo Aguado and tasteful details from Uceda Leal, but the weight of the afternoon eventually rested on the fifth bull.

Juan Ortega received that fifth bull with a white-trimmed cape, and the afternoon, which had been slipping away in disappointment, changed course in barely ten minutes. The Sevillian shaped a fine performance on the right hand against a good Torrealta bull. The olés rang out strongly during long, measured series that came close to ten passes. Ortega reaffirmed his bond with Valdemorillo through a display of sublime engagement and perfect meeting points. On the left, the bull gave less, but Ortega sustained the work through placement and composure. After a decisive sword thrust, he cut both ears.

The second bull, low and short of strength, charged without true delivery and constantly onto the forehand, noble but lacking continuity. The absence of rhythm denied any sustained flow, and Ortega’s most notable moments came in the low finishing passes. A slightly misplaced sword on the second attempt. Silence.

The high-cost, refined bullfighting of Pablo Aguado appeared from the very start of his bout with the third, one of the highlights of the afternoon. Stylish verónicas to a bull that showed nobility but arrived exhausted to the muleta. Aguado tried, but could not lift the performance, which, despite its elegant forms, never truly took flight. He fared worse with the sixth, a bull devoid of strength that denied any real chance of success.

Uceda Leal left moments of quality with his lot. The opening bull had as much class as it lacked strength, and the Madrid bullfighter relied on classical technique, working at half height to try to sustain the charge. To no avail. With the fourth, lacking class but showing more depth by holding back, Uceda Leal showed determination and produced highly meritorious natural passes, acknowledged by the crowd with a lap of honour. It was shortly before Juan Ortega created a storm of his own in Valdemorillo, after another had conditioned the entire bullfight.

Fight Summary

Valdemorillo Bullring (Madrid).
Bullfight. Third and final event of the 2026 San Blas Fair.
Sold Out.
Bulls from Torrealta, well presented and well made, but producing a disappointing performance due to a lack of strength. The fifth bull stood out.

• Uceda Leal: applause and lap of honour
• Juan Ortega: silence and two ears
• Pablo Aguado: silence and silence

Notes: At the end of the paseo, the Spanish National Anthem was played. A risky and timely intervention by Perico to Marcos Ortiz stood out during the fourth bull. Banderillero Iván García took a bow after placing his banderillas on the sixth.

At Taquillaoficial.com you can find information and tickets for the main bullfighting events of the season.