What a year 2008 was! The GOLDEN ERA CONTINUES with some of the best “toreo” ever and not by just one person but a handful of living legends competing for the heralded post of Spain’s number one matador.
Finally, the viewing public is also discovering that the traditional ranking of listing the torero WITH THE MOST CORRIDAS in Spain, France and Portugal as the NUMBER ONE matador in the world … is out of Date.
The antiquated ranking system has collapsed. There are now toreros for everyone’s likes and dislikes. Some of the girls come just to get a glimpse of Fran Ordoñez; and many true aficionados wait for hours to get tickets for José Tomás. A kaleidoscope of hugely different styles and art forms!
Last year I saw a corrida in a tiny village festival in Turre, Almeria in which Julio Benitez (the hereditary son of the great El Cordobes) cut a tail in front of 800 baying and drunken spectators in a portable bull ring.
Yet, within a week I again saw him in front of 18,000 spectators in Murcia’s very large 2nd class ring; Benitez gave an almost identical performance, leaping, lunging and couldn’t keep his feet still. He was rightfully served up the “coronada de silencio”.
Some matadors of critical renown are choosing to perform in fewer corridas but demanding more money. For instance, you have the case of the idolized-deified personage of matador saint Jose Tomas. He selects his plazas, the bulls he will face and price that he wishes to receive (generally around 400,000 Euros) for an afternoons recital. JT is jamming all the bullrings once again and ticket scalpers are reaping massive benefits selling 50 Euro seats for as much as 2000 Euros in Madrid’s hallowed Las Ventas plaza. Hollywood too has jumped in on the excitement. New movies due out this year feature the story of the legendary Manolete who died in the ring and a slick documentary, The Matador, about Granada’s David Fandila, El Fandi, is being celebrated on the silver screens across all of America.
Here then is my “Best to see” and why:
JOSE TOMAS (2008/20 corridas/ ranked 41st. NEVER ranked number one, NEVER listed in the top 10 for any year he has been a matador)
The fearless gladiator has brought the masses clamoring back into the plazas all across Spain, France and South America to get a glimpse of the man that already rivals the legendary Manolete.
JT demonstrates absolutely no fear in bringing the bull as close to him as possible and performing difficult passes within the domain of the toro.
Some of his detractors refer to him as “just another tremendistra—OR an “air Tomas” as he is often thrown and wounded in each of his appearances.
But those sages that you see at each and every main corrida throughout Spain are always there to see JT and him alone; “their savior of the fiesta nacional”.
They realize JT is one of the few toreros that will use the lure of the cape or muleta in such an unusual way he has virtually entered the terrain of the toro: testing and never leaving any margin for error.
So, just when the fashionable position of being a trendy animal activist, who seemingly can understand the heartfelt emotions and presumed thoughts and daydreams of the toros bravos, Jose Tomas shows up to once again draw the masses back to their traditional fiestas. The people come in masses to get a glimpse of him, knowing at any moment this could be the last time anyone ever sees the maestro alive.
The real question is how long can JT keep it up; endure the death defying ritual for the baying masses? How long will it be before imitators arrive to copy? How long before the masses turn on him forcing him to attempt even more precarious passes? In any case JT never takes a step back, the bull must make the pass as he demands. Other matadors will have to come up to his level. Jose Tomas lives within his own legend. Mysterious, reclusive his mystical performances are always profound especially to the educated taurino.
MIGUEL ANGEL PERERA (2008/82 corridas/ ranked 3rd)
His meteoric rise to fame during the 08 season shocked the entire taurin world. At the end of last year Perera was the man to see if you wanted that “in your face” style of no frills and sincere honest toreo.
In my forty years of viewing matadors in Spain, Miguel Angel Perera has burnt brighter than anyone before him in one single season. He made an absolute ascent and domination. From the very first corridas right thru to Sevilla, Nimes, Alicante, Leon, Barcelona, Santander, Puerta Santa Maria, Bilboa, Linares right to the very end of the season, he became the man to see. The very next day following Jose Tomas’ triumphant return to Madrid, MAP appeared and astounded everyone cutting two well deserved ears.
He continued his tour de force and then had the audacity to announce himself in the capital again to face six bulls on his own in what has become one of Madrid’s great heroic solo performances. Having been gored by the third bull, going to the infirmary, losing a testicle during the operation and then coming back out and cutting ears before being gored yet once again—he showed no fear. This time he simply took his tie off and tied a tourniquet around his pulsating leg and continued to make the same dangerous passes.
Even tho sharp eyed critics had predicted his definite ascension for coming years MAP didn’t wait. He surprised everyone by making the entire 08 year his from the start to the absolute bloody finish.
JULIAN LOPEZ, EL JULI (08/74 CORRIDAS/ ranked 4th—top of the rankings in ’99, 2000, 02/ 100 corridas in 99, 00, 02)
El Juli was a childhood star matador in Mexico and became number one in Europe the first full year that he was legally allowed to torear in Spain. Then he was putting in banderillas and was very flashy with lots of unusual cape work.
Today he is probably the most complete torero with the cape, muleta and a consistent killer.
When ever he is on a billing with someone famous El Juli is the one that walks away with the trophies. His dominance is both stoic and artful. When he serves up a lecture to his public all are mesmerized by his depth of understanding of the bulls.
His fame proceeds him so much so that even in category number one plazas he is scorned trophies by attention seeking presidents who want to attract crowd attention to themselves.
His legendary afternoons in Bilboa, Mexico City and Sevilla, Nimes, Dax, Biziers, Jerez and Barcelona continue to make him a maximum crowd draw to the very most knowledgeable aficionados. A must to see as often as possible.
Enrique Ponce ( 08/62 festivales; ranked 7th/ was number 1 in appearances in 92, 93 & 97 / more than 100 corridas a year in 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01)
What has made Enrique Ponce always good is his consistency. He rarely ever leaves a plaza de toros anywhere without cutting trophies.
Ponce has been one of the top three best matadors year after year for almost two decades. You don’t get the contracts without becoming a household name and NOT STRIVING to continue to be so.
In almost all ways Enrique is the diametrical opposite of the reclusive Jose Tomas. Enrique could hardly eat his lunch with us last year as well wishers were constantly jumping over to our table and interrupting him. They needed to have their foto taken or grab signed autographs. He is very personable and easily puts up with the constant adulation that comes from his fame. Enrique’s outside interest include golf and big game hunting.
At lunch I talked with him about the new pass he had invented in 07 during the Almeria feria since named the “Ponceina.” I had never seen it before. He cracked a wry smile as if wondering if I possibly did know something about his toreo. During the corrida that afternoon he did the pass three times. I did feel good.
I have now listed for you the “poker of Kings” that are a must viewing for 09. Just outside them are two special toreros that have their own cult followers. Their distinctive styles are diametrically opposite from each other, yet, because of that fact alone they too fall into my category ONE of top toreros: whether you love them or hate them they both are big draws to the passions of the public.
DAVID FANDILA (EL FANDI, 08/111 corridas/ ranked no. 1 in 08, 06, 05) has done 100 corridas a year in 05, 06, 08).
“I want you” gestures El Fandi number one rated matador in Spain.
A super athlete he excels in placing the banderillas like no one ever before him. I made two TV appearances with him and had the unmitigated gall to ask him to only put in two pairs of banderillas and leave the third set for his cuadrilla to perform so that spectators would presume he is doing so to concentrate and prepare to work with the muleta. The viewing public gasped at my outrageous suggestion… and the network immediately went to a commercial break.
A true whirl wind of activity; he steps into the ring and it is show time. All eyes are upon him and he knows it. During his performance you can hardly catch your breath.
Many true aficionados dislike him simply because his style is so direct, an “in your face” recital with nothing left to imagine; nor subtleties nor mystery.
Nevertheless, he is unquestionably exciting. See him in Granada and you will never forget it. He puts on a show for his town folk like no other matador. He has been carried out the Puerta Grande 32 of 33 appearances! If you are an aficionado and want to introduce new people to your taurin world El Fandi is the gift that keeps on giving.
MORANTE DE LA PUEBLA (08/28 corridas/ ranked 28th)
Morante is the “artist” of the new millennium. Whereas his legendary predecessor Curro Romero “was reputed to be living genius of the 70’s, and 80’s: Morante is reputed to be the same: “angels come down from the heavens and time stops”.
Statistically he has better days more often than Curro Romero; but he has yet to astonish in Madrid. There be demons; often times his mental preparation for these major “happenings” (aconocimientos) are lax and he doesn’t get trophies.
He does all “his Way”. Last year he was promised a large sum to perform in Roquetas. He promised to fill the ring. The plaza wasn’t full, he was refused his cash and so he strolled out to the parking lot and drove away still wearing his suit of lights.
The popular Bible of tauromaquia, 6 Toros 6, selected him as their third personage to dedicate an entire book concerning his toreo.
These next listings are of other top echelon of toreros in ALPHABETICAL ORDER. Try as I did I just COULD NOT find a way to give a ranking number to this grouping. Maybe you can? If so write me back, I would be most interested in learning YOUR TOP 15 LIST. Ric@TorosBravos.es
SEBASTIAN CASTELLA (08/55 corridas/ ranked 14th) this youthful veteran started slow but was always there for the big occasion. He prefers the big show format so is mostly seen in first & second class plazas rather than unheard of venues (small towns or portable bull rings).
He had a bit of an off year last year but is a must attraction to see. Movie star handsome his French background brings an exciting aura to the fiesta nacional. Naturally he is number 1 at home in France and is always good there; even if the bulls are horrible.
CAYETANO (08/53 corridas/ ranked 16th) of the famous Ordoñez dynasty is still very much underrated. Adored by the media he has easily surpassed his older brother Fran for quality of toreo. I see something in him that I believe will make him one of the very best ever! He was gored frequently last year but always came back-- even better. He is the pin up model that sells the Armani perfumes and is always in the tabloids and love press escorting hot dames. Yet, he is a honest torero and never shirks away from difficult corridas.
A lot of people have forgotten that he was on the cartel the day Jose Tomas made his reappearance in Barcelona. He cut four years and was carried out on shoulders. Yet, in the papers the next day it was only about Jose Tomas and the three ears he was awarded.
JOSÉ MARÍA MANZANARES (08/66 corridas/ ranked 5th) is from a new dynasty from Alicante. His father was a top matador and he continues with similar good manners. JM deserves to be at every fair and almost always is. Like his father, when he has one of those special bulls-- he can create magic, and does so 4-5 times a year; to keep the critics talking. Lots of taurin clubs rate him as a true “artist.” We played golf last year and he was a good companion at lunch. He seems to come awake for the important corridas in critical places like Sevilla, Ronda, Alicante and Linares and sleep walks the rest. For me, he often lacks “entrega.” Nevertheless, he is already better than his father. Your taurin year isn’t complete without seeing him good.
CESAR JIMENEZ (08/55 FESTIVALES/ ranked 13th; number 1 in 03, 04; 100 corridas 04) I am including as he needs someone to still regard him. He was the top of the appearances list in 04 and 05 and deservedly so. He just hasn’t been able to kill. Worse yet, he performed well in third degree plazas but when he had opportunities in the larger ferias he did little. Yet, everything about him is pure torero. He walks moves and acts like a matador. I hope this year he will BE one and that means going over the horns and putting the sword in the right place. Risky, but that’s the business.
DANIEL LUQUE (08 /38 CORRIDAS/ RANKED 22) Just became a full matador and proved himself reliable, especially in the big rings where he was often paired with the great and famous. A Sevillano with a special perchance for getting noticed. He wants to be a torero and is making the effort to “entregar” show you his worth. Very little is holding him back other than more experience.
ALEJANDRO TALAVANTE (08/66 corridas/ 6th in rankings) Luck would have it that he started with a friend who managed him (Juan Reverte). Juan played an important role in fashioning Alejandro into a top class young novillero. He took his alternativa very early and then jumped into the big fairs performing very well in his first major year. Since then it has had lots of hit and miss performances. His style is a close cloning of Jose Tomas at times. He seems to be in turmoil mentally; whether or not he actually wants to be on the main stage. The constant devil in his day thoughts keeps his toreo confused and disorderly. Maybe he is sleep walking a dream? His paltry sum of 49 ears for 66 occasions tells you he isn’t quite awake or just can’t kill (which I know he can). His success was quick and fantastic to watch, but since then he has done little.
MANUEL JESUS, El Cid (08/89 corridas/ ranked 2nd) is an authentic purest with busloads of followers always from Sevilla. Classical and very sublime he is a torero to study. It might take you a long time to understand his subtleties, he has plenty of them. He has the best “natural” in the business. He is often contracted for two afternoons in the same feria which is surprising considering the rivalry between the many other owners of the plazas throughout Spain and their own matadors they are pushing.
Yet, he earned very few awards in major plazas. To cut just 100 ears with 89 opportunities isn’t much. A haw-hum season. He deserves to be watched carefully; no flash or showmanship-- just honest cape work.
OTHER VERY SPECIAL TOREROS TO WATCH…
Other top attractions that draw the crowds are always the bandilleros, those matadors that choose to put in their own sticks: (Jose Padilla (ranked 19th and Antonio Ferrera 08/10th) are monsters to contend with concerning public popularity.
FUTURE PROMISES FROM THE LAND OF THE (ALMERIA PROVINCE)
RUIZ MANUEL 08/ 3 corridas/ ranked/ 135th ) is from Almeria and is gifted. I enjoy him every time I can see him. Photographically he composes well, just like Finito de Cordoba. Yet, he is just not getting the corridas. Can you imagine only fighting ONCE in the entire year before being called upon to strut your stuff in front of your own plaza packed with homies, some 12,000 strong. RM came and conquered.
It takes an unusual but unique person that can go totally un-noticed for ¾ of the year, then dress in his suit of lights and become the maestro for his home crowd. That day Ruiz Manuel also won the coveted “Capote of the fair”. I promised to do him some letter heads and sent them to him this year where he was in Venezuela fighting. I hope he catches on. I know lots of taurinos from the famed CTL (Club Taurin of London) that respect his toreo very much.
FRANCISCO TORRES JEREZ (08 corridas/7; ranked 86th) had even more corridas than his compatriot. He even graced Las Ventas in Madrid and but for failure of his sword he would have walked away with an ear. Brave and always in control he needs more corridas and more practice killing. He had bad luck this year with his bulls during the Almerian fair. so the public didn’t notice him.
That and the fact he was billed with Jose Tomas. He too has won the prized “Capote de la feria” of Almeria two years ago. He seems to have some early contracts so this could be his best year. He is unusual in that when I filmed him dressing for a corrida he didn’t have one religious memorabilia on his dressing table nor even a picture of his girl friend. He dressed, laughed with all his friends. They squeezed into my car and off to the plaza wherein he cut four ears with some brave toreo.
JESUS ALMERIA (08/ 3 corridas/ ranked 132) already has a large following, many of them intellectuals and businessmen that just enjoy talking with this engaging personality. He practices every day in a world that doesn’t support such dreamers. Yet, he soldiers on never looking back nor compromising. If he ever gets a chance to write a book about the taurin world he should do so as poetry, as he speaks just that way. I like to invite him for dinner and just listen.
When he does get the chance to torear he never disappoints. Competent with both the cape and muleta he too needs work on killing. He has a excellent sense of temple and he is improving with each corrida.
JOSE OLIVENCIA (08/ 4 corridas ranked 115th) is another man trying to make it in the difficult commercial taurin world. He is smart and has purchased his own portable ring, visits the local town halls in the province and puts on corridas in tiny towns that have never held bull fairs.
He always brings in one attractive name like El Cordobes to help sell the tickets. Jose seems to be eking out a living. A very personable man one always feels sorry for a friend struggling to much to fulfill his dreams of glory.
I have discovered while doing this piece that the long hours and frenzied scrutiny of the photos can be very therapeutic. It has helped me forget the crazy economical nastiness of this world that has infected all of us.
It gives us more time to think and blame.
Consequences to almost all, excepting those that caused this mess.
I have been very fortunate in sales of these photos and am NOW offering a new style. I am sending out the full version as a .jpg and YOU have it printed—as LARGE as you like. I can only print up to A-3 = 297 X 420 mm - 12 X 17 inches. If I print on canvas the charges are:
Small – 43 X 61 cms. ……… 80 Euros
Medium – 76 X 51 cms ….. 100 Euros
Large – 60 X 90 cms ……. 120 Euros
OR you can negotiate a price and I’ll just send you the original jpg.
I have such a large collection all you really need do is tell me your favorite matador and then let me suggest by sending you 15-20 photos to choose from.
Final prices usually vary from $50-125$. Some have already been used in major advertising campaigns.
Write to me & tell me what you need: Ric@TorosBravos.es
