Jerez: Horses, Bulls… and Morante

Though it’s called the Horse Fair, in Jerez de la Frontera bulls often steal the spotlight – if not entirely overshadowing the horses. The city’s historic bullring, located on Calle Circo, has long been a temple for the great masters of the art of bullfighting. Its walls, still adorned with iconic Tío Pepe adverts, have borne witness to unforgettable performances, especially by toreros known for their artistic flair – a hallmark of Jerez’s passionate fans.

This is a city that has venerated Rafael de Paula – or simply “Rafaé”, as his loyal followers affectionately call him. His long-time rival and occasional partner, Curro Romero, also left an indelible mark here, with one of his final masterpieces taking place in this very arena. In more recent times, it’s been Morante de la Puebla who has stirred the deepest emotions in the hearts of Jerez’s aficionados. And in 2025, Morante stands once again at the very heart of the Fair, which will be celebrated across two weekends.

The bullfighting spectacles are scheduled for Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th of May. Morante is billed on both evenings. On Friday, he will share the arena with Sebastián Castella and José María Manzanares, facing bulls from Álvaro Núñez. The following day, he returns to the ring alongside Talavante and Roca Rey, to take on bulls from the famed Jandilla ranch.

These are two top-tier line-ups, featuring the greatest figures in modern bullfighting – with Morante as the undisputed headliner. Many still remember his legendary performance on 12 October 2003, when he took on six bulls by himself in this very plaza, capping the evening with an unforgettable faena. Or the time he cut a tail from a grey-speckled Juan Pedro Domecq bull – a historic moment that began with a sublime cape greeting.

These milestones cemented Morante’s deep connection to Jerez, where he has triumphed time and again – regardless of the year or his personal or professional circumstances. Each spring, his return to this arena is eagerly awaited.

In 2023, it was Morante himself who pushed for the revival of the Concurso de Ganaderías – a prestigious bull-breeding contest that hadn’t been held in Jerez since 1990. Though it hasn’t continued since, the event proved memorable, not least because of Morante’s exquisite performance and the bravery of “Barbecho”, a bull from El Torero ranch, who earned the coveted Catavino de Oro award as the bravest of the day.

Beyond Morante, Jerez also hosts one of the most important rejoneo (horseback bullfighting) events of the season. On Sunday 18 May, the equestrian stars take to the ring, with the incomparable Diego Ventura joined by Portugal’s Rui Fernandes and France’s Léa Vicens. Together, they will face bulls from the renowned Fermín Bohórquez ranch – a name that resonates deeply in Jerez and across Spain.

This spring, come to Jerez and experience a unique blend of Andalusian culture, pageantry, and passion – with Morante de la Puebla leading the way.