Trainer David Aiken will soon leave Victoria

Miracle Mile and Inter Dominion-winning harness racing trainer David Aiken will soon leave Victoria as he and wife Colleen look for a change of pace later in life.

Aiken, who has prepared more than 2500 winners in a long and successful career, broke the news of his impending move to New South Wales earlier this week.

“Colleen got a job in Wollongong and we have been cutting down since I got a bit of an illness and all that,” the 64-year-old told Harness Racing NSW.

“Both of our mothers are still alive and elderly, so we will spend a bit more time in Sydney.

“Just a bit of a life change and slowing down a little bit.”

Despite the move, the Aiken name will continue to be seen in race fields across Victoria with David and Colleen’s son Josh set to play a bigger role at the family’s Avenel property.

“We will have a little barn at Menangle and still have the barn at Avenel, and Josh will be mucking around with a few down there,” David said.

“He is going to drive a little more next year. Through his work he couldn’t drive much on weekends, but he is keen to probably have half a dozen in work there.”

Josh Aiken has driven 520 winners including 10 at Group 1 level, but only competed in nine races last season.