Retired matador Ricardo Ortiz, 52, from Málaga, died on Good Friday in the corrals of La Malagueta bullring after being gored by a bull while handling animals. The incident happened after 7pm and is under investigation by National Police as a workplace accident. Lances de Futuro, organizer of Saturday's Corrida Picassiana, has expressed deep regret over the corralero's death.
Ricardo Ortiz, born in Málaga in 1974, worked as a corralero for Lances de Futuro, the company managing La Malagueta bullring. The accident occurred in the Málaga venue's corrals after 7pm on Good Friday, during handling or penning tasks for the bulls destined for Saturday's Corrida Picassiana from the El Pilar and El Puerto de San Lorenzo ranches.
Sources close to the case told EFE that National Police's Homicide Brigade is investigating it as a workplace accident. Ortiz suffered a severe goring from one of the animals, causing fatal injuries, possibly a horn wound near the heart, though this is unconfirmed.
Lances de Futuro, led by José María Garzón, has mourned Ortiz's death, calling him "a very dear and respected person in the bullfighting world." They have extended condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Ortiz came from a Málaga bullfighting dynasty as the son of banderillero Manolo Ortiz. He took his alternativa in 1994 in Quito and shone as a novillero and banderillero, though his matador career was short and marred by several gorings. After retiring, he remained involved as a corralero at La Malagueta.
The Corrida Picassiana will proceed on Saturday with matadors Saúl Jiménez Fortes, Juan Ortega, and Pablo Aguado.
