Cuenca Bullfighting Poster, Feria de San Julián 2022
SUMMARY – 20 AUGUST 2022
Seven Ears in a Spectacular Champions-Style Opening
The San Julián Taurine Fair raised its curtain with the award of seven ears and a first major triumph for Andrés Roca Rey. The Peruvian matador, who cut three, made the most of the excellent conditions offered by an outstanding pair of bulls from the Victoriano del Río herd, which sent an interesting and well-presented corrida overall.
Alejandro Talavante took one ear and left behind some of the finest and most refined touches of the afternoon—moments of truly high-class toreo. Opening the mixed bill was Diego Ventura, who once again displayed his prodigious talent on horseback and walked out through the Puerta Grande after yet another commanding performance.
Festejo details:
Cuenca bullring. 1st of the San Julián Fair. More than three-quarters full on a sunny, hot afternoon. Two bulls from Ángel Sánchez y Sánchez for rejoneo, properly shorn and generally of good condition. Four bulls from Victoriano del Río for the lidia on foot, all well presented. An interesting set overall, with the fifth and sixth standing out.
- Diego Ventura: one ear and two ears.
- Alejandro Talavante: ovation with salutes and one ear.
- Roca Rey: one ear after a warning and two ears.
SUMMARY – 21 AUGUST 2022
Triumphant Debut for Tomás Rufo in His First Appearance in Cuenca
Tomás Rufo, making his debut in Cuenca’s bullring, carved his name into the annals of the local taurine history. The young matador from Toledo, with a style rooted in classicism, elegance and sincerity, succeeded in cutting both ears from his second opponent.
José María Manzanares faced the most interesting pair of bulls of the afternoon, but his failure with the sword deprived him of trophies—though his performance was nonetheless of tremendous depth. El Juli, meanwhile, found no real options with either of his two bulls from José Vázquez, a varied and unpredictable lote.
Festejo details:
Cuenca bullring. 2nd of the San Julián Fair. Slightly more than three-quarters full on a sunny, hot afternoon. Six bulls from José Vázquez, well presented and of varied and generally interesting behaviour. The outstanding example was the superb second.
- El Juli: one ear and ovation with salutes.
- José María Manzanares: ovation with salutes and one ear after a warning.
- Tomás Rufo: ovation with salutes and two ears.
SUMMARY – 22 AUGUST 2022
A Historic Afternoon in Cuenca Thanks to Emilio de Justo, Pablo Aguado and Rehuelga
The Cuenca crowd will long remember what unfolded during the third event of the fair. The Champions earns its name on afternoons like this. The star billing of the cycle promised much— and it certainly delivered.
It was a historic day, defined by the exquisite, authoritative toreo of Emilio de Justo before a superb bull from Rehuelga, a herd that sent an exceptional and remarkably well-presented encierro. Pablo Aguado, who exuded refinement and pure torería, joined him through the Puerta Grande after crafting a masterful performance with the magnificent sixth, Callejón—a bull for whom the crowd even petitioned a pardon. Morante completed the memorable occasion with flashes of high artistry.
Festejo details:
Cuenca bullring. 3rd of the San Julián Fair. Slightly more than three-quarters full on a sunny, very hot afternoon. Six bulls from Rehuelga, exceptionally well presented and of varied and interesting behaviour. The second was awarded a lap of honour, and the extraordinary sixth also earned a vuelta al ruedo after a strong but ultimately unsuccessful request for its indulto.
Morante de la Puebla: mild jeers and one ear.
Emilio de Justo: two ears and ovation with salutes.
Pablo Aguado: ovation with salutes and two ears after two warnings.
Photo Gallery
San Julián Fair 2022
Images: Julio Palencia / Maxitoro
Other bullfighting experiences
