Javier Fernández

Javier Fernández: a calling born in La Mancha

Some careers are built on memorable afternoons, whilst others begin much earlier, when a young lad realises he wants to face a young bull and discovers that this passion goes far beyond a mere whim. Adrián Reinosa’s story falls into the latter category: that of those who start from the bottom, learn the trade and strive to carve out a place for themselves in a profession where opportunities are never guaranteed.

A native of Ruidera, in the province of Ciudad Real, Reinosa trained at the bullfighting schools in Alcázar de San Juan and Albacete, two key stages in his apprenticeship as a bullfighter. His early days were spent on the novillada circuit and in practical training sessions – a vital setting for young bullfighters to hone their skills, gain experience and begin to show their character in the face of the bull.

And that is precisely where we should pause for a moment. Because when we talk about a novice bullfighter, it is not enough simply to count the ears cut off or the times he has been carried out on the shoulders of the crowd. We must also look at how a bullfighter develops, what he learns each afternoon, and to what extent he is capable of turning that initial enthusiasm into a well-founded career.

A debut in which he won two ears and a tail, marking the start

The first major milestone in Javier Fernández’s career came at the El Robledo bullring in Ciudad Real. On 13 August 2022, he made his debut as a novillero without picadors, fighting young bulls from Martín Carrasco.

The result could hardly have been more exciting: two ears and the tail – a haul that saw him emerge triumphant from his first appearance before the public. That bullfight meant much more than just a collection of trophies; it was the first step on a journey that, ever since, has required him to keep growing and learning.

A novillero’s progress is not measured solely by the prizes he wins. Equally important is the ability to cope with difficulties, correct mistakes and maintain enthusiasm when things do not go as planned. Fernández gained experience in bullfights and bullfighting festivals, whilst continuing his training at the school.

In September 2023, another engagement came along with a special twist: his debut as a novillero in the bullring of his home town, Herencia. He shared the bill with Raúl Puebla and Israel Aparicio, on an afternoon that captured the interest of local fans. Bullfighting close to home presents an added challenge: the responsibility of living up to the expectations of those who have known the bullfighter since his very first steps.

The Real Maestranza of Seville, a showcase for its ambition

Every novice bullfighter needs an afternoon that allows him to showcase his progress before a different audience and in a bullring steeped in history. For Javier Fernández, one such moment came at the Real Maestranza in Seville, as part of the ‘Ciclo de Promoción de Nuevos Valores de la Torería’ (Series to Promote New Talents in Bullfighting).

On 3 July 2025, facing young bulls from Hermanos Expósito González, the bullfighter from La Mancha delivered a performance that saw him claim the only ear of the event. His faena with the third young bull brought together several of the key elements a bullfighter seeks in an occasion of this nature: decisiveness, the ability to connect with the stands and precision with the sword.

Fernández stepped out to meet the animal with the portagayola, a risky move that raised expectations from the very start. Later, with the muleta, he produced some interesting moves on the left horn, particularly in the natural passes and the finishing moves of his series. He concluded the faena with manoletinas from his knees and a sword thrust that allowed him to parade the trophy.

The ear held special significance given the setting. La Maestranza is a bullring steeped in tradition, where aficionados closely observe the bullfighter’s approach, positioning and ability to overcome the challenges posed by each young bull. It is not enough simply to show enthusiasm: one must know how to capitalise on opportunities.

That afternoon established Javier Fernández as one of the standout names in the competition and heightened interest in his development. His performance left a clear impression: that of a young man willing to take risks in an attempt to break through.

A grand exit in Ciudad Real and recognition at the competitions

Javier Fernández’s career has also featured some outstanding afternoons in his home province. In the final of the first competition organised by the Ciudad Real Bullfighting School, held on 26 July 2025, he once again demonstrated his skill by facing both his young bulls with the portagayola.

With bulls from Víctor y Marín, he delivered two performances that were each awarded one ear. This double trophy allowed him to exit through the main gate, a particularly significant achievement at an event linked to the school where he was continuing his training.

Further recognition came in Añover de Tajo, where he was named best novillero at the San Bartolomé Bullfighting Festival. His performance on 26 August, facing young bulls from Guadalest, resulted in three ears and another exit carried on the shoulders of the crowd.

These results paint a picture of a career in which dedication has been a constant. However, they also highlight a fundamental aspect of bullfighting training: the challenge lies not only in triumphing on a single afternoon, but in achieving consistency and adapting to animals with different characteristics.

Jumping over picadors: a new test in Ciudad Real

The transition to novilladas with picadors is one of the most important tests for any aspiring bullfighter. The demands change, the responsibility increases, and the bullfighter must demonstrate that the fundamentals acquired during his stage without horses can hold up when faced with a more difficult challenge.

Javier Fernández faced this challenge on 19 August 2026, at the Ciudad Real bullring, during the Virgen del Prado Festival. He shared the bill with Adrián Reinosa and Aparicio Romero, who was also making his debut with picadors. The novillada featured bulls from the Toros de San Román ranch.

The debut proved difficult. His first young bull offered few opportunities to build up a continuous sequence of passes, but the bullfighter from Herencia once again demonstrated his determination by receiving the bull in the ‘portagayola’ stance. After seeking out the charges and overcoming a complicated fight, he landed a thrust and was awarded one ear following a warning.

With the second bull of his batch, he once again received it on his knees at the gate of the pens. Although the animal responded more strongly at times, problems with the sword prevented him from rounding off his performance. He finished to a standing ovation and waves after two warnings.

The final tally was one ear and a standing ovation. Beyond the result, the afternoon marked the start of a new phase in his career: that of a novice bullfighter who must continue to hone his craft and consolidate his approach in the face of the demands of the higher ranks, where picadors are involved.

Interesting facts about Javier Fernández

• His full name is Javier Fernández Baillo. He was born in Alcázar de San Juan and has close ties to Herencia, a town he considers his home and where he has spent much of his bullfighting career.
• His first major triumph came at El Robledo. On his debut without picadors, he cut two ears and the tail from Martín Carrasco’s young bulls.
• He trained at two bullfighting schools. He attended the Miguelturra Bullfighting School and later the Ciudad Real School of Bullfighting.
• The ‘portagayola’ is one of the moves he has performed on important afternoons. He performed it both in Seville and in the final of the Ciudad Real competition, demonstrating his willingness to take risks right from the start of the bullfight.
• His career combines awards in promotional arenas with the step up to the higher ranks with picadors. The ear he won at the Maestranza and his triumphs in Ciudad Real are part of an evolution that remains ongoing.

What does the future hold for Javier Fernández?

A novillero’s career is a story written without any guarantees. Every victory raises expectations, but every new afternoon means starting practically from scratch. The public may remember a performance for a long time; the bullfighter, on the other hand, must return to the countryside, train and prepare for his next engagement.

Javier Fernández has achieved milestones that form part of a promising start to his career: a debut without picadors in which he won two ears and the tail, an outstanding performance at the Real Maestranza, a ‘puerta grande’ in Ciudad Real and a debut with picadors that earned him one ear.

The challenge now is to turn these results into a solid career path. To do so, he will need to continue refining his technique, improve his effectiveness with the sword and demonstrate that his determination can be matched by the consistency required to climb the ranks.

In bullfighting, courage catches the eye, but it is skill that sustains a career. And personality, once it has fully matured, is what makes a fan remember a name beyond the result of a single afternoon.

Servitoro: the best way to enjoy bullfighting live

For those who wish to follow the progress of up-and-coming bullfighters and experience the thrill of an afternoon at the bullfights from the stands, Servitoro is the best way to buy tickets securely and easily. Our service allows you to check the bullfighting calendar and organise your visits to the bullrings to enjoy the season.

Because the future of bullfighting is also built by giving opportunities to those just starting out. Behind every entrance to the ring lie years of preparation, sacrifice and a passion that is put to the test when the gate to the bullpen opens. And perhaps that is one of the main reasons to follow Javier Fernández: he is still writing his story, and every new afternoon can add a different chapter.