Jerez, a Fair of Tributes: Between Expressive Bullfighting and Equestrian Art

Rafael de Paula, the genius of artistic bullfighting, is arguably the most iconic matador Jerez has ever produced. He is not measured by statistics, but by emotion. His style embodied Gypsy bullfighting at its most expressive, and his cape work became legendary; it was said that he could stop time with it in his hands. He was a matador of “light and shadow”: capable of the most sublime moments — such as his historic performance in Madrid in autumn 1987 — or of refusing to engage if he did not feel inspired. From the Santiago district, in Cantarería Street, his presence as a symbolic reference in the 2026 line-ups evokes the purity and aesthetic beauty that local aficionados consider almost a religion.

If Rafael represents art on foot, Álvaro Domecq Romero stands as the foremost authority in rejoneo and horse breeding in Spain. Son of the legendary Álvaro Domecq y Díez, he was a mounted bullfighter of unsurpassed technical elegance. Yet his greatest contribution was founding the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez. Without him, the Feria del Caballo would not be the global reference it is today. A defender of the Spanish horse and both classical and traditional riding disciplines, his composure and understanding of the arena marked an era.

The artwork illustrating this year’s fair, created by the artist Pérez Indiano, pays tribute to these two legendary figures of Jerez and of bullfighting, who symbolise the city’s two defining pillars: expressive Gypsy-style bullfighting and equestrian art. The bullfighting programme is concentrated across three dates: 10, 15 and 16 May.

The fair opens with a rejoneo event on Sunday 10 May, featuring bulls from Fermín Bohórquez for Portuguese cavaleiro Rui Fernandes — currently one of the leading figures in this discipline — alongside Diego Ventura and the young Portuguese prospect Duarte Fernandes.

On Friday 15 May, bulls from the Jandilla breeding ranch will be fought by a trio of leading matadors: Morante de la Puebla, Sebastián Castella and Andrés Roca Rey. The fair concludes on Saturday 16 with bulls from Álvaro Núñez, once again featuring Morante de la Puebla, who will appear alongside José María Manzanares and Juan Ortega.

Three top-class line-ups designed to honour two great names in bullfighting who carried the name of their city across the world. You too can witness their legacy and become part of their memory at the bullring on Calle Circo, where bullfighting is savoured and appreciated like a fine glass of sherry.