Tlaxcaltecan matador Rafael Ortega passed away this week at the young age of 53.
I was privileged to see him in the ring twice, once in León, Guanajuato in January, 2010, in a cartel with El Juli and Mario Aguilar (1991-2018), and then the following year in Tijuana, in a cartel with Humberto Flores and Enrique Espinoza "El Cuate."
In León:
In Tijuana:
I enjoy matadors who place their own banderillas. José Rodriguez "Pepehillo" was always one to excite the crowd with his banderillas, including when he broke them in two (quebrados, or cortos), such as this time in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on August 31, 2008.
Arturo Macias holds a rose thrown by a fan after his faena with his first bull of the afternoon.
Photographed at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on August 11, 2013.
A vendor selling algodón dulce, walks through the deserted upper section of Sól (sunny side).
Photographed in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on October 7, 2007 (my first bullfight!)
The alguacíl of Tijuana's Plaza Monumental lends an ear to an associate in the callejón.
Photographed on November 2, 2013.
Octavio García, "El Payo," performing at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on August 12, 2012.
Another photo of Federico Pizarro, photographed on April 12, 2015. I was pleased that the Aficionados de los Angeles used this photo on the back cover of their most recent newsletter, which commemorated his recent retirement.
Federic Pizarro recently retired from the bullring.
Here he passes a bull from the ganadería Pozo Hondo at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental, on April 12, 2015.
Enrique Ponce is perhaps the most elegant of all matadors.
Here he performs in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on November 1, 2009, facing a bull from the ganadería Teofilo Gomez.
A bull (ganadería Los Encinos) follows the capote of the matador's assistant as it circles the ring.
Photographed at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on May 25, 2008.
Lupita López, during her performance in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on September 24, 2011.
The bull, Muchas Vidas, having regained its composure, faces Eulalio López, El Zotoluco. Photographed at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on May 12, 2013.
The bull, Muchas Vidas, (ganadería La Estancia), stumbles upon entering the bullring to face El Zotoluco. Photographed at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on May 12, 2013.
Eulalio Lopez, El Zotoluco, and his capote. July 3, 2011, Tijuana's Plaza Monumental.
El Zotoluco receives roses after his performance in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on July 3, 2011.
El Zotoluco was one of Mexico's most beloved and admired matadors until his retirement last year.
Here he performs in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on August 23, 2009.
Joselito Adame, with his first bull at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental, on November 21, 2015. He would cut one ear from this bull.
Remolón, (ganadería Sante Fe del Campo), is removed from Tijuana's Plaza Monumental bullring, after facing Andrés Roca Rey on November 21, 2015. Roca Rey would cut two ears from this bull.
El Payo faces a bull in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on March 22, 2015. El Payo will perform in Tijuana's Caliente Plaza de Toros on November 18.
The bull Farruco (ganadería Pozo Hondo), is led out of Tijuana's Plaza Monumental, after facing Peruvian matador Andrés Roca Rey on November 8, 2015. Roca Rey would cut two ears from the bull.
Fermín Espinoza, Armillita IV, receives two ears for his second bull at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on November 8, 2015. Armillita will perform in Tijuana's Caliente Plaza de Toros on November 18.
A young lady holds a carnation during the bullfight of November 21, 2015, thinking about tossing it to Andrés Roca Rey.
A fan enjoys a cigar at the bullfights. Photographed at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on November 8, 2015.
Arturo Macías passes the bull Vidriero (ganadería Santa Fé del Campo), while looking at the audience. Photographed during the corrida of November 21, 2015, at Tijuana's Plaza Monumental.
The bull, Gacetillero, (ganadería Fernando de la Mora) follows the muleta of Sebastian Castella, during the bullfight in Tijuana's Plaza Monumental on March 22, 2015. The bull would receive an indulto (sparing its life) for its bravery.