Murcia: The Bullring of Pardons

Home Bullfighting news Murcia: The Bullring of Pardons

September 10, 2025
3:48 pm

Did you know that the Murcia bullring was the first to grant an official pardon to a bull? And that it is the arena where more bulls have been spared than anywhere else? In this article you will discover the unique history of La Condomina, famous for episodes that made history in its sand, always under the presence of the orange handkerchief.

Since 1992, when Enrique Ponce pardoned the bull Bienvenido from the Jandilla ranch, La Condomina has had a special relationship with pardons. That bull, bred by Borja Domecq, became famous for being the first to be spared under the current regulations introduced by Minister Corcuera. Until then, pardons could only be granted in first- and second-category bullrings and in special contests. This marked the beginning of a singular bond between this arena and the practice of pardoning, which remains alive today.

As for that historic performance, which Ponce carried out at barely 21 years of age, it is remembered for almost one hundred muletazos (passes with the red cloth), delivered in a magical quarter of an hour. It culminated with the national anthem played by the band as Bienvenido returned alive to the corrals.

After being treated by the arena’s vets, the bull lived out his days at the Don Tello ranch and in other herds bred from the same lineage, including Fuente Ymbro. He died at the age of fifteen, and today his head, donated by his breeder, is exhibited at the Museum of the Murcia Bullfighting Club.

From that moment on, Murcia became known as “the bullring of pardons.” No fewer than twelve times the orange handkerchief has been waved from the presidential box to spare a bull’s life. Ponce, who inaugurated this prestigious list, also heads it with the highest number of pardons: four. Besides Bienvenido, he pardoned Halcón from Juan Pedro Domecq (1997), Desordenado from Zalduendo (2006), and Filósofo from Olga Jiménez (2014).

Another matador with several pardons in this ring is the Murcian-born Pepín Liria. Among his most notable pardons are Sevillano from Torrestrella (2003), Hechizo from Fuente Ymbro (2004), and Insípido from Zalduendo (2006) — the very same evening Ponce pardoned Desordenado. That day became historic, as for the first time two bulls were pardoned in a single event in a second-category arena.

Yet that is not the only record held by La Condomina. In 2017, Diego Ventura faced Perdido from Los Espartales, which became the first bull fought on horseback (rejoneo) to be pardoned in Spain. Ventura delivered an unforgettable performance, shining on horses such as Bronce, Fino, Sueño, and Nazarí, before dismounting to finish with the muleta in hand, in an apotheotic finale.

Other bulls that entered the history of this ring thanks to their pardons include Ganado from Juan Pedro Domecq (1994) with José María Manzanares Sr.; Espléndido from Fuente Ymbro, fought magnificently by Miguel Ángel Perera (2005); and Operario from Fuente Ymbro (2013), handled with mastery by local matador Rafael Rubio “Rafaelillo”. Fuente Ymbro, in fact, is the ranch with the greatest number of pardoned bulls in this arena.