La Peña México-España San Marcos 2026 awards, Digi Mart USA News (Aguascalientes, Mexico): Bravery and excitement are two fundamental qualities of the fighting bull, and they set the tone for the luxury gala hosted by the Peña México-España, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The event presented awards to the winners of the 2026 Feria Nacional de San Marcos.
The first Cristo Roto went to “Arrojado” from the De la Mora ranch, owned by Luis Alberto Villarreal, who received the award for the best bull among more than 50 fought at the fair. Numbered 189 and weighing 600 kilograms, it was the heaviest bull to enter the ring at the Monumental.
It was fought on April 26 by Spanish bullfighter Emilio de Justo, who was awarded two ears and a lap of honor for a long faena that showcased the bull’s nobility, quality and bravery.
Villarreal received the Cristo Roto from Héctor Enrigue, who spoke about the Peña’s commitment to the bullfighting tradition and to new generations of fans, as well as its aim to reward fairly and seriously those who earn recognition in the ring. The Cristo Roto, awarded since 2010, preserves the memory of the fair by honoring good breeding in the field and the qualities of matadors and banderilleros, and it has become one of the most important trophies in Mexico.
Tere Jiménez, Aguascalientes’ leading bullfighting fan, attended the event as the life partner of Luis Alberto Villarreal, who described her as a fundamental part of the decisions made at De la Mora.
Another award for Mexican fighting bull breeding went to the herd from Tequisquiapan, fought on May 3 and owned by Don Fernando de la Mora, a respected breeder. After 11 years, the Guanajuato breeder again received the Cristo Roto for the best herd of San Marcos 2026, which produced an exciting and decisive afternoon.
Don Fernando took a lap of honor in recognition of both the herd and his career.
His grandson Íñigo accepted the award on his grandfather’s behalf, saying: “This prize is yours, the fruit of the hard work you have done. Thank you for teaching me honesty, humility and the value of your word.” His grandmother, rancher Vicky de la Mora, applauded with emotion.
Juan Pablo Sánchez was another central figure of the evening, earning two awards, which is rare. The Hidalgo bullfighter was named the fair’s top performer and received the award for best faena for his work with “Tamborazo,” number 34 and weighing 488 kilograms from Pozo Hondo, which he cut two ears from on May 1.
Together with De Justo, he made the only two exits carried on shoulders from the fair.
“Receiving these two awards from such an important fair on a global level is simply a privilege that I will pass on to my children, who are the reason I fight as the engine of my life,” said Juan Pablo.
Lupita Rodríguez, the only woman in the group, hosted the event and first recognized Alejandro Prado, an experienced banderillero from Aguascalientes, named best ground-level subordinate for the effectiveness and safety of his performance over many years.
The evening brought together fans and professionals who reaffirm the importance of the San Marcos fair, the most important in Latin America, in Aguascalientes.
