Valencia Review – 10 October 2026

Bullfighting’s next generation took centre stage at Valencia’s bullring on Saturday, 10 October, with a novillada without picadors forming part of the programme for the Valencian Community Fair. Gitano Rey, representing the Navas del Rey Bullfighting School, claimed the afternoon’s only trophy by earning an ear at an event that brought together promising young talents from several Spanish schools.

Daniel Ramos’s erales produced mixed performances, although several animals allowed the young novilleros to demonstrate their abilities. With 2,500 spectators in attendance, the event highlighted the training provided by bullfighting schools and the ambitions of aspiring matadors seeking to establish themselves in the profession.

Gitano Rey seizes his opportunity to claim the only trophy

Gitano Rey was the only participant to earn an ear. The novillero from the Navas del Rey Bullfighting School made the most of the opportunities offered by his opponent, delivering a performance that won its reward from the crowd.

His success set him apart on an afternoon when most of the participants had to settle for acknowledging applause or taking a lap of honour. The trophy recognised his efforts and made the young Madrid-based novillero the standout performer of the event.

Contrasting fortunes for Juan Zamora and Jorge Escamilla

Juan Zamora, a pupil at the Albacete Bullfighting School, opened the novilleros’ performances with an appearance that ended in an ovation. Despite the difficulties he encountered during the fight, the crowd recognised his efforts, although he had to hear two warnings before acknowledging the applause from the ring.

Jorge Escamilla, representing the Valencia Bullfighting School, had less success. The young novillero struggled to find sufficient opportunities to distinguish himself against his opponent, and his performance ended in silence from the crowd.

Villalón, Masiá and Montero complete the afternoon with laps of honour

Rodrigo Villalón, from the Alicante Bullfighting School, earned a positive response from the stands following a performance that allowed him to take a lap of honour. Despite receiving a warning before the end of his fight, he was still acknowledged by the spectators.

Hugo Masiá, a pupil at the Valencia Bullfighting School, also took a lap of honour. His performance included passages appreciated by the crowd, although two warnings affected the final outcome.

Samuel Montero, representing Madrid’s Yiyo Bullfighting School, brought the event to a close. The young novillero likewise received the crowd’s recognition with a lap of honour after a fight in which he was issued one warning.

Daniel Ramos provides a varied string of young bulls

Daniel Ramos‘s six erales, uneven in presentation but serious in appearance, produced a varied afternoon. With the exception of the first and sixth, the animals generally offered enough to allow the young participants to develop their respective performances.

The novillada provided another opportunity for pupils from different bullfighting schools to demonstrate their preparation in a prestigious venue such as Valencia. The attendance of 2,500 spectators highlighted the interest in these events, which play an important role in developing the next generation of matadors.

Gitano Rey emerged as the sole trophy winner. His ear was the afternoon’s most notable reward at an event where the commitment shown by all six participants once again underlined the importance of nurturing young talent for the future of bullfighting.