Mont de Marsan - France
July 25, 2026
Daniel Luque wore a special suit of lights yesterday in Mont de Marsan France in the typical colors of the Feria de la Madeleine.
blog Plaza de Toros - est. 2013
July 26, 2026
July 19, 2026
For those who have forgotten how dangerous running with the bulls is
(graphic image)
So this guy got a horn through the arm, notice how the tip of the horn is coming out his wrist. Not sure but I imagine he could have permanent damage to that arm, that looks incredibly serious.
Still don't think running with the bulls is dangerous?
There are a lot of morons out there that think it is nothing more than a chance to make a TikTok video.
July 12, 2026
Pamplona, I haven't really been into it this year
So, Pamplona is going on right now, and honestly, I haven't really been into it.
I've watched all the videos on YouTube of the encierros, but I have been shaking my head in disgust more than anything. There just seems to be too damn many people.
And the corridas haven't been that good either I don't think. OneToro had yesterday's and today's, and only one ear was cut each day. They will broadcast tomorrow's corrida which is with Miura bulls, and most likely no ears will be cut tomorrow. Miura bulls typically don't get their ears cut, they aren't very cooperative bulls. And then OneToro will have the final day's corrida, I can't remember where those bulls are from at this very moment.
Anyway, first, too damn many people. Check out this photo.
The sea of people to the left aren't even running, they are just trying to catch a glimpse. The one's running are on the right of the photo. There are just too many people, you can't even run with that sea of humanity.
So, here is a link from today's run if you want to watch,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cceEEY0IjcQ
it is from the "RTVE Play" YouTube page. They also put up a slow motion highlight video as well, here is that link'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48eSXaSkrgo
That on is more fun to watch because you can see more action, however, all that seems to be happening is people grabbing each other, pushing each other out of the way, slapping each other while they run. It is insane, but insanely annoying. I can't see how anyone can enjoy themselves with that many people trying to run. The only solution I can think of is limiting the number of runners.
Anyway, and it also seems like there are more people there that are not keeping with the spirit of la fiesta.
Take for example this dumb ass,
So, he is an American of course, just trying to be some ass hat and get everyone to pay attention to him. What he did is strictly forbidden, you can not run in costume, and you sure as hell cannot run with any recording device which he did.
He was removed promptly from the plaza once the run was over, and probably fined. Then today he showed up again, this time without the face paint put still with the green hair, and was promptly removed from the course before the run even began.
What a dumb ass.
You have to follow the rules and the spirit of the run or don't even go, don't even be there. But some people are more concerned about their views on TikTok or whatever.
It is making Pamplona look like a joke, (no pun intended) and that is probably why this year I'm just not into it.
Give me more Sevilla.
July 9, 2026
10 años después de la tragedia, Raquel Sanz, viuda de Víctor Barrio, vuelve a sonreír y anuncia que espera su primer hijo
(from hola.com)
El 9 de julio de 2016, a las ocho y cuarto de la tarde, se hizo el silencio en la plaza de toros de Teruel. Víctor Barrio recibió una cornada mortal de Lorenzo, un astado de 529 kilos de la ganadería Los Maños. El diestro, de 29 años, quedó inmóvil sobre el albero. Su cuadrilla corrió de inmediato a socorrerlo y lo trasladó en volandas hasta la enfermería. Sin embargo, pese a la rapidez con la que fue atendido, el equipo médico no pudo hacer nada por salvar su vida.
En el tendido se encontraba la periodista Raquel Sanz, mujer del torero. Aunque fue testigo de la gravedad de la cogida, confió hasta el último momento en que su marido lograría salir adelante. Pero no fue así. Cuando la cirujana del coso turolense, Ana Cristina Utrillas Martínez, certificó la muerte del diestro, su mundo cambió para siempre. "Se ha ido mi vida, no tengo fuerzas", dijo entonces, completamente rota de dolor.
Raquel y Víctor se conocían desde niños, ya que sus respectivos pueblos, Sepúlveda y Grajera, están a poco más de 15 kilómetros de distancia. Su historia de amor comenzó en 2007 y el 11 de octubre de 2014 pronunciaron el "sí, quiero". Sus publicaciones en redes sociales reflejaban el feliz momento personal que atravesaban, una especie de luna de miel permanente que terminó de la forma más cruel. Raquel atravesó un largo proceso de duelo, pero hoy, 10 años después de la tragedia, vuelve a mirar al futuro con ilusión.
La periodista, de 42 años, está a punto de convertirse en madre por primera vez junto a su actual pareja, Rodrigo Nieto, concejal del Partido Popular en el Ayuntamiento de Valladolid, a quien conoció "el día que menos lo esperaba", según ha contado ella misma en sus redes sociales. El pasado 1 de marzo anunció su embarazo y desveló que el bebé que espera es un niño. "Bollito en el horno", escribió. Además, hace tan solo unos días compartió con todos sus seguidores el nombre elegido para el pequeño: Álvaro.
-Así es la nueva vida de Raquel Sanz en Valladolid-
Nacida en la localidad segoviana de Sepúlveda, Raquel se trasladó a los 18 años a Madrid para estudiar Periodismo en la Facultad de Ciencias de la Información de la Universidad Complutense. En 2007, con 22 años, comenzó sus primeras prácticas en Antena 3 y, posteriormente, se incorporó al equipo de informativos de Telemadrid. Cuando Víctor Barrio dejó su trabajo en un campo de golf para probar suerte como torero, ella se convirtió en su directora de comunicación y vivió de cerca algunos de los momentos más importantes de su carrera.
Después de su boda en 2014, el matrimonio se instaló en Sepúlveda, donde Raquel dio también el salto a la política local al convertirse en cabeza de lista del Partido Popular en las elecciones municipales del 24 de mayo de 2015. Tras la muerte del torero, continuó vinculada a la política y, desde marzo, está al frente del negocio familiar, una Administración de Loterías. "Mis queridos y admirados padres se han jubilado. Alguien tenía que quedarse con el negocio familiar y, teniendo en cuenta que soy hija única, ¡tenía todas las papeletas!", explicó en sus redes sociales. "No me vais a encontrar allí trabajando a diario, pero Byron y Gianina os atenderán estupendamente y os ayudarán en lo que necesitéis", aclaró.
Aunque la tragedia marcó para siempre su vida, Raquel ha seguido vinculada al mundo del toro y mantiene vivo el recuerdo de Víctor. "Que nadie se olvide de un torero maravilloso, espectacular en la plaza, que dio su vida por el arte que le apasionaba y amaba", aseguró en una entrevista concedida a ¡HOLA! 100 días después de la muerte del diestro.
En aquel momento, la periodista reconocía estar completamente hundida y sin fuerzas para mirar al futuro. "No hago planes. Voy día a día. Sobreviviendo, deseando que pasen las horas, los minutos, los segundos. Cuando me acuesto pienso, un día menos. Un día menos para volver a ver a Víctor", confesó entonces. Ahora, en cambio, afronta con ilusión la llegada de su primer hijo, un bebé muy deseado que vendrá al mundo en Valladolid, ciudad en la que reside junto a su pareja, el abogado Rodrigo Nieto, responsable de la concejalía de Personas Mayores, Familia y Servicios Sociales en el ayuntamiento de la ciudad castellana.
https://www.hola.com/actualidad/20260709911706/raquel-sanz-viuda-torero-victor-barrio-embarazada/
Today marks 10 years since the death of Victor Barrio in the plaza de toros de Teruel
Here is a link to an article I posted 10 years ago after the sad death of this young torero.
http://blogplazadetoros.blogspot.com/2016/08/blog-post.html
-----
July 6, 2026
Running of the bulls begins tomorrow!
Another year of Pamplona is upon us ..... thank the lord.
Tomorrow morning will be the first running of the bulls with toros from the Fuente Ymbro ranch.
We are very lucky we can watch replays of the running of the bulls on YouTube, back in the old days we could not do that. We were deprived, we got very little coverage if any.
Actually, for several years back in the early 2000's ESPN 2 would cover the action from Pamplona. I know because when they did I was glued to the TV. I even used to record it on VHS and then watch it over and over again.
When YouTube became a thing I even uploaded on of the highlight reels. Check it out and enjoy la fiesta, Viva San Fermin!
July 4, 2026
Carteles de toros en California 2026 - no hay billetes
So, not sure if these bullfights are in Turlock CA, or Tulare.
The Facebook page they came up on is a Tulare page, but Turlock is the only town mentioned on the carteles.
I don't know, kind of confusing. One thing for sure though is they don't do a very good job of advertising or getting the word out about these corridas. The Facebook pages don't have very much, and I couldn't even find much of an official website.
Granted, I get the feeling it is mostly just a locals thing, and I believe most of their information is shared on local radio. They probably don't feel like they need to advertise much.
But still, it would be nice to be able to follow their bullfights somewhat.
June 24, 2026
An amazing day ... 500 years ago today the first bullfight in Mexico was held
So, 500 years ago today the first bullfight in Mexico took place.
Now, it would not have been a bullfight as we know it today, but one more akin to a rejoneo style bullfight, one on horseback.
Nevertheless, today is a sacred day. Too bad Mexico is a mess right now and the bullfight is up against corrupt politicians, let's pray for the future of the bulls in Mexico.
How can anyone be against an art form with at least a 500 year history?
It boggles my mind.
(from Instagram)
24 de Junio de 1526, dia de San Juan, se cita como el primer festejo taurino documentado en la capital. La referencia aparece in la Quinta Carta de Relacion de Hernan Cortes (1526), donde menciona que ese dia estaban "corriendo ciertos toros" como parte de las celebraciones publicas.
So I am done playing Toroslam
So, I made the decision to not play Toroslam anymore.
I'm not a sore loser, I just can't dedicate the time, get things right, and keep losing positions. So today, as you can see below, I had Manuel Escribano and Jose Maria Manzanares on my cartel. Both of them had good days, they both cut ears from their bulls in Alicante. But so did El Cid and so the only thing I can think of is there are players out there that had all three toreros on their cartel, or combination of El Cid and Manzanares since those two were carried out la puerta grande.
Anyway, by the end of the day I had dropped down to position #168.
It was fun while it lasted, like I said in earlier posts I have never played any fantasy sports league, and I guess I should be proud I taught myself and moved from the 1300's up as high as 141.
It was a good experience, but I'm out now. On to bigger and better things.
June 23, 2026
A little Spanish Fork update
So, I'm going to copy this post from the Spanish Fork Historic Preservation Commission Facebook page. I have another update to do here in another few days when I have some time because I started a Facebook community uproar a couple of months ago that was completely unintended. It was so bad that after 24 hours I deleted the post just to put the fire out.
It got way out of control in such a short amount of time, it was bizarre.
Anyway, stay tuned for that post.
(September 23, 2025)
On September 23, 1776, Fathers Silvestre Vélez de Escalante and Francisco Atanasio Domínguez emerged from Spanish Fork Canyon into Utah Valley during their historic expedition through the Southwest. Their visit gave our city its name and left a lasting mark on our valley’s story.
Today, we honor 249 years of history, remembering their journey and the generations who have called this valley home since.
As we look ahead to the 250th anniversary in 2026, stay tuned for details as we celebrate with events, stories, and opportunities to connect with our shared heritage.
Here’s to the past that shaped us and the future we’re building together in Spanish Fork City. The Home of Pride and Progress.
How many ears to you have to cut to get carried out La Puerta Grande?
I recently had this come up on my Instagram feed, and I am much appreciative.
I've always had the question about how many ears do you have to cut to be able to get carried out La Puerta Grande, or Puerta del Principe in Sevilla, because it always seems like each plaza is different.
Well, here is a chart that has it broken down for all of the "first category" plazas in Spain. (This chart is also helpful because I have always wondered which plazas are considered primera categoria.)
I knew Madrid of course, Sevilla, Bilbao, Pamplona, Valencia, but I wasn't sure about Cordoba, Malaga, and Zaragoza. But now I know.
But San Sebastian was a surprise.
Now I know even better.
It has been a rough summer
Well, I'm still here, I just haven't posted much or done much with my bullfight fandom.
It has been a busy and rough summer. Lots of projects around the yard and house, and I have started to work out a little (I haven't worked out in a long time and it has come to that make or break point) so all of that has taken away from my bullfight watching and blogging.
On the bright side this will give me lots of things to catch up on come fall and winter. I'll have an excuse to go back through Mundotoro's archive from this year and see all that I have missed.
I do have a Toroslam update, I am now position #151.
It has been a little frustrating to be honest, I am doing everything right but I guess now I am in with the big boys and even though I am doing everything right things don't always go your way. For example, I had gotten up to position #141 and I made good picks these past few days, and everyone on my cartel cut ears, but even with that I guess others had more guys that cut ears. I don't know. It kind of sucks that you do well but then you lose positions.
I will keep going but I almost quit the other day, it can be frustrating and time consuming.
Anyway, Pamplona is coming up in two weeks. That is always a shot in the arm with the running of the bulls. I always feel if I am getting bored with the bulls Pamplona pulls me back in.
June 7, 2026
May 31, 2026
Exiliado de Garcigrande - 715 kilos !
Madrid
May 29, 2026
So, a couple of days ago in Madrid we saw something that is rarely seen anymore, a bull over 700 kilos!
Typically your novillos are in the 400 kilo range, and normal bulls are in the 500 kilo range. I saw an interview somewhere with some ganadero, I can't remember who, that said ideally he thought the best fighting bulls were in the mid-500 kilo range.
Anyway, "big bulls" will easily get into the 600 kilos but once you start getting into the upper 600's usually the bulls don't move very well and tire out very quickly. Therefore, they are not very good for a bullfight where you want to see a bull have strength and fight throughout the entire performance.
So you almost never see a bull in the 700 kilo area.
However two days ago Madrid saw just that, a bull named Exiliado from the Garcigrande ranch, 715 kilos!
Well, it did not turn out well. Exiliado was first brought out as a substitute for another bull that had to be returned to the corrals for some reason, and quickly was returned himself. From what I read Exiliado was not able to keep on his feet long during the tercio with the picador.
So all we have are a couple of photos from the Las Ventas website, and I'm guessing we probably won't see a bull this big again for years if ever.
May 24, 2026
A quick update
I haven't been posting a whole lot, I have been super busy with yard work and such. (Yard work is never ending it seems.)
I have been playing Toroslam however, and as you can see in the below post I am doing very well. I shouldn't get cocky, I can drop back down as fast as I went up.
Also, feel free to use the photo of Jose Maria Manzanares I posted the other day as your telephone wallpaper. That is my current Iphone wallpaper and I'm loving it.
I've searched for a long time to get the perfect photo of either a bull or a bullfighter to use as my wallpaper, I could never get what I thought was the perfect photo. But that one of Jose Mari has been the one, it looks great.
What do you think?
Toroslam update ..... I'm killing it!
So, a quick Toroslam update, I've had an incredible run of luck that for a 24 hour period had me at #194 !
I should have taken a screenshot, but once I got around to it the noon time bullfight in Nimes France today had already taken place (and I didn't have any of the bullfighters performing on my cartel) so I had dropped down to position #200.
That I got a screenshot of as you can see below. After all was said and done today I am currently sitting at position #229.
Still though, that is better than I ever thought I would do, keep in mind I have never played any fantasy sports games before. I am a novillero I guess you could say.
Anyway, after my last post about three weeks ago when I was in the mid-600's, I kind of figured a strategy out that has been paying off.
Basically you get points and move up the ranks when bullfighters on your cartel cut ears. So, I figured out that most of the ears that get cut are not in Madrid, they are in other bullrings. So, if I have a choice, if bullfights are being held in other places other than Madrid I am going to wager on those bullfights.
Also, if there is a novillada going on, I am going to participate in that one more likely since it seems like they like to award ears to novilleros more often.
And finally, if you get a chance to wager on rejoneo take that as well, the horseback bullfights pay off better too.
So over the past several days I have had a lot to choose from that fits my strategy.
Nimes has their feria going on, and they like to hold two bullfights a day sometimes so that gives me lots of choice.
Cordoba has had a feria going on as well which has been nice.
Madrid had rejoneo the other day and I again went with Andy Cartagena which paid off for me again after I scored big with him in Sevilla.
So, to explain a little bit about the below screenshots you'll see my position or puesto at 200.
In the upper left hand corner you'll see how many Euros are in my bank, that number will skyrocket however after I sell Victor, Marco Perez, Andy Cartagena, and the El Freixo bull ranch.
Their value you can see in the second screenshot, all of them are in the green meaning that is how much extra money I will make over their original value once I sell them.
You have to hang on to them for 48 hours, and all of them participated in yesterday's bullfights. So I was kind of stuck today, I had to take the day off since it was too soon to sell them. I can sell them later tonight and then once I do I will look at tomorrow and Tuesday's bullfights and see who I want to take.
There are about 1,700 players on Toroslam, so for me to crack into the 100's is insane. Do I dare dream about getting into the top 100?
I think I can do it. You have to stay on top of it, so it is a little time consuming. Maybe not all of the players are as into it as I am so maybe that is helping me some.
Still though, it takes effort and that is what I am putting into it.
After this season will I keep up with it? I don't know, we will see. How much energy do I have? I am an old guy so not much.
May 18, 2026
May 12, 2026
Cronica - Feria de San Isidro 2026
May 8 - Alejandro Talavante - 2 ears 4th bull
May 9
May 10 - Román - 1 ear 5th bull
May 12 - Álvaro Serrano - 1 ear 3rd bull / 1 ear 6th bull
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