Europe took home most of the silverware at the Breeders' Cup's 25th anniversary renewal here on Saturday.

Four victories in the first eight races had the Americans reeling before Raven's Pass delivered the knockout blow by silencing Curlin and co in the afternoon's highlight, the $5 million (£3.15 million) Classic.

It was a stunning denouement at the end of a record-breaking day. The heroes at its core were John Gosden and Frankie Dettori, the trainer and jockey, who preceded Raven's Pass's triumph by joining forces to win the Juvenile Turf with Donativum.

Victory was particularly sweet for Gosden, who established himself here in California before transferring his skills to Europe two decades ago. For the Newmarket-based trainer, this was a home-coming to remember. “It doesn't get any better than this,” Gosden said. “It's a dream come true, a day I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Dettori, who was riding his eighth Breeders' Cup winner, victory banished the demons that have tormented him since he cost Swain any chance of winning the 1998 Classic.

“I knew, ten years down the line, that I had another chance,” the jockey said. “I am getting older - I won't say wiser, but I am more experienced. I stayed serene and was able to get the job done.”

Raven's Pass tracked Curlin throughout the race before drawing up to America's Horse of the Year early in the home straight. And when the champion faltered, Dettori drove Raven's Pass into the lead. “The last furlong was a pretty long one,” he said, “but I could feel my horse galloping strongly.”

Dettori threw his whip skywards on passing the winning post, which he reached ahead of Henrythenavigator, with Curling collared for third place close home by Tiago. But as the Italian celebrated, Jimmy Fortune's despair must have been particularly acute.

It was Fortune who rode Raven's Pass on most of his previous starts. But a two-week suspension, which only lapsed on the day of the Classic, prompted Gosden to amplify his concerns to the jockey. The decision was then taken to replace Fortune with Dettori.

“It is very clear in my mind that you cannot be off for two weeks before the cauldron of the Breeders' Cup,” Gosden said. “You have to be really sharp. In that situation it is only right for the horse. It was Jimmy's wish, and I think he made a highly intelligent decision.”

Raven's Pass capped a notable day for his owner, Sheikh Mohammed, who leases the horse to his wife, Princess Haya. Conversely, it was an afternoon of near-misses for the Coolmore syndicate, whose Henrythenavigator chased home Raven's Pass - and whose Westphalia filled the same position behind Donativum.

The sheikh had further cause to celebrate when his Midshipman, trained in America by Bob Baffert, landed the Juvenile Colts on the new Pro-Ride surface.

Of the other European triumphs, Sir Michael Stoute notched a third for Britain when Conduit's late charge proved too much for Eagle Mountain in the Turf.

The winner was superbly handled by Ryan Moore, who sat quietly behind a headlong gallop before pouncing late. It was a first Breeders' Cup triumph for Moore at his first taste of the annual jamboree.

Goldikova, trained by Freddie Head, revived memories of the mighty Miesque - whom Head rode to win consecutive renewals of the Mile - when she annexed the same race with rare brilliance.

The French handler thus became the first man to ride and train a Breeders' Cup winner And Ralph Beckett, who won his first British Classic in June, sealed an unforgettable season when saddling Muhannak to land the Marathon.

That race, the first on the card, featured an uninspired ride from Dettori aboard the hot favourite, Sixties Icon. The Italian's fortunes would change with a vengeance as the day unfolded.