 Sensing an opportunity, Ortega jumped into the ring, asked for the bullfighter's tools, gave several passes, and killed the bull.The incident proved to be the start of a new career for him.In 1931, he had only performed in six "novilladas" when he received the "alternativa"—graduation from "novillero" to full "matador de toros"—from Gitanillo de Triana in Barcelona.