Ortega and David de Miranda open San Miguel with one ear each

The San Miguel Fair began in Seville with a demanding and eventful corrida marked by the seriousness of the Victoriano del Río bulls. In a packed Maestranza, Juan Ortega and David de Miranda secured the first trophies of the series, while Pablo Aguado delivered a performance of substance that went unrewarded.

The afternoon started with a minute’s silence in memory of María del Mar Tristán, long-time director of the Maestro Tejera Band, before a full house settled in for one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season.

Juan Ortega found little opportunity with the opening bull, which offered limited collaboration and quickly lost momentum. The Sevillian showed determination against an opponent that developed complications during the muleta work, preventing any artistic flow. His moment arrived with the fourth, which he had already highlighted during a stylish quite earlier in the lidia. The faena began dramatically when the bull charged before the formal dedication, leading into an elegant and deep display, especially on the right hand. The animal transmitted well and Ortega guided it with poise and rhythm, managing the more difficult left side with composure. A slightly low sword placement reduced the reward to a single ear despite the overall quality of the performance.

David de Miranda was the first to make an impact on the scoreboard. He handled the second bull confidently and took part in an engaging exchange of quites with Pablo Aguado. With the muleta, he built a performance rooted in sincerity and courage, standing his ground on both sides against a demanding opponent that never fully settled. The intensity grew steadily, culminating in a thrilling finish with tightly executed bernardinas that ignited the crowd. Although the sword went in slightly low, the effort earned him an ear after a display full of commitment.

The fifth bull maintained the challenging tone of the afternoon. Miranda again showed determination against a temperamental animal, linking passes on the right and taking considerable risks on the natural side. The work carried more merit than brilliance and concluded with a very close-quarters finish that underlined his bravery before the final sword thrust.

Pablo Aguado first faced a large replacement bull after the original third broke a horn on leaving the pens. The substitute proved awkward and uncooperative, demanding patience and technical skill. The Sevillian remained composed and managed to draw several notable passes, receiving an ovation after the kill. With the sixth, he produced one of the most significant performances of the evening against a complex opponent. His verónicas were full of rhythm and elegance in a lidia that also featured the farewell of picador Salvador Núñez, applauded warmly by the crowd, and a goring suffered by banderillero Sánchez Araújo. Aguado crafted an intelligent and stylish faena, but failure with the sword denied him a deserved triumph.

The corrida, varied in behaviour and rich in emotion, set a strong tone for the start of the San Miguel Fair, leaving two matadors with trophies and another who came very close in a vibrant atmosphere