Castella and Urdiales take the honours in Seville on a remarkable day with bulls from Juan Pedro

The thirteenth fixture of Seville’s subscription series confirmed the strong form of the Juan Pedro Domecq breeding, whose bulls offered opportunities and shaped an afternoon full of nuance. Sebastián Castella and Diego Urdiales each secured an ear, while Pablo Aguado produced the most artistic passages of the day, ultimately unrewarded due to the sword.

Diego Urdiales opened the corrida with composed verónicas that set a classic tone. His faena gathered rhythm through the early right-hand series, guiding the bull with smooth, unhurried movements. As the bull began to fade, the performance lost intensity, ending with an ovation after an effective half-sword.

The fourth, initially criticised for a lack of strength, allowed Urdiales to express himself more fully. The Riojan matador chose a gentle approach to settle the charge and produced isolated muletazos of notable purity, especially on the natural side. A precise killing blow sealed a traditional performance that earned him an ear.

Sebastián Castella showed authority from the cape against the second, gaining ground and quickly engaging the crowd. After a tight chicuelina sequence and a measured lidia, he began a dynamic faena in which the bull transmitted strongly through the early series. There was rhythm and connection before the animal lost intensity, but a decisive sword thrust secured the trophy.

Facing the fifth, the Frenchman again pushed for impact from the outset, even working on one knee with the cape. The bull offered moments of emotion and the faena included close-quarters phases that divided opinion. A request for an ear after the kill was rejected by the presidency, prompting protests from the stands and leaving Castella with a lap of honour.

Pablo Aguado produced the most delicate moments of the afternoon with the third bull. The Seville matador worked with softness and composure from the cape before crafting a faena defined by natural grace and refined rhythm, dedicated to painter Miquel Barceló. The series flowed harmoniously on both sides and the crowd responded warmly to his classical style. However, failure with the sword cooled the atmosphere, reducing the reward to a lap of honour despite strong petitions.

The sixth proved the most difficult of the corrida. Aguado showed willingness against an awkward, uneven charge that prevented any real flourish. Overall, the well-presented Juan Pedro Domecq bulls delivered a performance of sustained interest, leaving Seville with a corrida rich in artistic quality.