Ciudad Real bullring

Jesús Herrera wins the José Ruiz Calatraveño competition in Ciudad Real

Review Ciudad Real – 26 July 2026

Jesús Herrera won the second José Ruiz Calatraveño competition with four ears in an afternoon that produced ten trophies, with Juan Robles and Rodrigo Villalón also carried out of the arena on shoulders.

Jesús Herrera shines in an afternoon of ten ears in Ciudad Real

The Virgen del Prado Fair in Ciudad Real got off to a triumphant start. The final of the second José Ruiz Calatraveño competition brought together three ambitious young bullfighters, a livestock breeder whose novillos performed exceptionally well and a crowd that filled half the arena on a pleasantly warm afternoon. The final tally was ten ears and three triumphant exits on shoulders.

The standout name of the afternoon was Jesús Herrera, the Peruvian novillero trained at the Ciudad Real bullfighting school, who claimed victory in the competition after earning four ears. His committed and assured performance enabled him to make the most of both erales he faced.

Herrera demonstrated skill and determination throughout the afternoon. He maintained a high standard in both appearances, delivering a performance that strengthens his case for taking on more demanding challenges as he progresses through his career as a novillero.

Juan Robles delights his home crowd

Local fans also had plenty to celebrate thanks to Juan Robles. The young bullfighter from Ciudad Real gave his all against both opponents and was rewarded for his commitment throughout the proceedings, with both cape and muleta.

He finished with three ears, earning one from his first novillo and adding two more in his second appearance. Robles seized the opportunity to perform in front of his home crowd, delivering a determined and ambitious display that contributed significantly to the triumphant atmosphere in the arena.

Rodrigo Villalón delivers the afternoon's most accomplished passes

Rodrigo Villalón, the youngest of the three competitors, also made his mark in the competition final. The Alicante-born novillero grew in confidence as the afternoon progressed, finding the perfect opportunity with the sixth eral to produce the most artistically accomplished passages of the event.

His final performance stood out for the quality of his muleta work and an expressive style that brought a different dimension to an afternoon otherwise dominated by effectiveness and the accumulation of trophies. Villalón earned one ear in his first appearance and secured both ears from the final novillo, bringing his total to three.

All three novilleros were carried out of the arena on the shoulders of supporters following a final that lived up to expectations and highlighted the talent of the next generation of bullfighters.

Manuela Patón delivers an outstanding novillada

The excellent performance of Manuela Patón‘s erales was one of the key factors behind the success of the event. Well presented and generally displaying good qualities, the young bulls gave all three novilleros opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and develop their faenas.

The combination of the livestock’s performance and the bullfighters’ determination resulted in an afternoon that delivered both artistic quality and an impressive tally of trophies, with ten ears awarded and an enthusiastic atmosphere in the stands.

At the end of the event, Miguel Ángel Valverde, president of the Provincial Council of Ciudad Real, presented Jesús Herrera with the award recognising him as the winner of the second José Ruiz Calatraveño competition.

Ciudad Real's bullfighting fair resumes in August

The opening event of the Virgen del Prado season-ticket programme has provided an encouraging start to Ciudad Real’s bullfighting calendar. The public turnout, the quality of the livestock and the performances of the three novilleros set a positive tone for the fair, which will continue from 19 to 21 August.

The second part of the programme will feature two bullfights involving leading names in the sport, alongside a novillada with picadors. The July event has therefore set a high standard for the remainder of a programme designed to maintain the interest of bullfighting enthusiasts.

EVENT DETAILS

Ciudad Real Bullring

Venue: Ciudad Real Bullring. Date: Sunday, 26 July 2026. Event: Final of the second José Ruiz Calatraveño competition. Attendance: Half the arena was filled on a pleasantly warm afternoon.
Bulls

Erales de Manuela Patón, bien presentados y de buen juego en líneas generales.
Jesús Herrera

Two ears and two ears after a warning.
Rodrigo Villalón

One ear and two ears.
Juan Robles

One ear and two ears.
Competition winner

Jesús Herrera, who received the award from Miguel Ángel Valverde, president of the Provincial Council of Ciudad Real.
Overall result

Ten ears awarded, with all three novilleros carried out of the arena on shoulders.