The 150th-anniversary feria at La Malagueta in Málaga delivered one of its most intense afternoons as Victorino Martín’s bulls returned to the ring. The corrida took place on 21 August 2026 as part of celebrations marking the arena’s 150th anniversary. Emilio de Justo and Jiménez Fortes both earned Puerta Grande honors, while Manuel Escribano fought on after his first bull gored him, electrifying the crowd and showing how unpredictable the event could be. La Malagueta was rehabilitated in 2019, and the anniversary programme included exhibitions and conferences, along with concerts.
Fortes’s performance with the fourth bull, ‘Borracho’, stood out for its finesse and composure. The animal was awarded a lap of honor posthumously, and Fortes delivered a fluid, technically precise faena, controlling the right hand especially well and finishing with composure. The crowd responded to the quality of both bull and matador. The final estocada came in two stages. His earlier attempt with ‘Bárbaro’ was a contrast: the bull’s demanding temperament left him few chances to display his skills, and the crowd fell silent after his third attempt with the sword. Fortes cut two ears from ‘Borracho’ and exited through the Puerta Grande Manolo Segura.
Emilio de Justo faced two challenging bulls. The fifth, serious and long, tested the matador’s ability to recover and command: the animal resisted lowering its head and challenged his precision. De Justo drew quality series, particularly on the right, earning two ears and an ovation for the bull. His earlier encounter with a difficult, high-headed third bull demanded similar effort. He drew valuable passes despite the animal’s danger. The crowd’s strong petition for an ear was not granted, but de Justo received a lap of honor.
Manuel Escribano’s afternoon was defined by courage. He opened with a dramatic portagayola and a demanding capote sequence, then delivered a standout performance with the banderillas. The first bull’s aggression became clear early in the muleta, culminating in a goring to Escribano’s right leg. Despite bleeding, he completed the faena and drew applause for his composure and a well-placed sword. Refusing immediate medical attention, Escribano asked to face his second bull straight away. Though weakened, he delivered a determined faena, especially on the right, and killed with a full sword. He earned an ear and a standing ovation before finally walking to the infirmary.
The official event summary noted a nearly full arena and a Victorino Martín herd that lived up to its reputation for seriousness and emotion. ‘Borracho’ received a lap of honor, while the second, third and fifth bulls were also applauded for their spirit. The sixth, despite initial promise, proved less impressive. Escribano’s injury prompted a change to the order of the fight, and Antonio Chacón was recognized for his work with the banderillas on the fifth bull.
Results: MANUEL ESCRIBANO, ovation and ear; EMILIO DE JUSTO, lap of honor after petition and two ears; JIMÉNEZ FORTES, two ears and silence after warning. Fortes’s performance also drew attention at Málaga’s provincial awards: at the fourth Gala de la Tauromaquia, held at the Teatro Cervantes in October, he received the Diputación de Málaga’s fifth Estoque de Plata “Antonio Ordóñez” for his work with ‘Borracho’ on 21 August. The Colegio Oficial de Veterinarios de Málaga separately named the bull “Toro más Bravo de la Feria Taurina de Málaga.” The ceremony, organized by the provincial government and presented by journalists Noelia López and Enrique Romero, also honored David de Miranda and Diego Urdiales, along with Diego Ventura and, posthumously, Antonio Ordóñez. The afternoon’s events echoed the high-stakes drama of other major Spanish gatherings, including the coordinated Diada demonstration in Catalonia, which also drew national attention for its unity and intensity, as reported in coverage of the Catalan pro-independence mobilization.
La Malagueta’s anniversary corrida reflects the enduring appeal and risks of Spanish bullfighting. De Justo and Fortes left through the Puerta Grande, while Escribano’s stand reinforced the event’s place in Málaga’s cultural calendar. In remarks reported by Europa Press at the provincial gala, Diputación president Francisco Salado called Antonio Ordóñez “a true legend, a reference point and one of the great figures in the history of bullfighting.” The anniversary programme placed the corrida within a wider season of cultural events, while the awards recognized both the matador’s performance and the bull that helped define it. Victorino Martín’s demanding bulls once again shaped the afternoon. La Malagueta is one of Spain’s most historic bullrings, and its anniversary events attract aficionados and critics alike, drawn to moments that test the limits of both animal and human participants.
