Louisville, Ky. ? Kentucky Derby jockeys will be allowed to wear advertising patches for the first time after a judge blocked a state rule that barred such sponsorship.

U.S. District Judge John Heyburn II sided Thursday with jockeys who argued that the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority’s regulation violated First Amendment rights.

“They certainly ought to have the same rights as golfers and tennis players,” said Ronald Sheffer, a lawyer for the jockeys. “There was no reason really to deny them that right.”

Ads could be lucrative for jockeys. Some were offered up to $30,000 to wear a logo during the country’s premier horse race.

While the judge’s decision applied only to jockeys who sued — including Jerry Bailey and Shane Sellers — the state racing authority and Churchill Downs later said all riders can wear ads.

William Street, chairman of the state authority, said the decision to wear ads shouldn’t be left only to the jockeys.

“The horse’s owner, who pays all bills, should be an active participant in the decision-making process on advertising worn by jockeys,” Street said.

Churchill Downs laid out rules, including barring sponsors it deems “inappropriate” or “offensive,” companies involved in gambling, or companies that compete with track sponsors.

In a statement, jockeys said the ads would be tasteful.

“We are very sensitive to the traditions of our sport and our goal is not to offend anyone,” said Bailey, a two-time Derby winner who will ride Wimbledon on Saturday.

“Jockeys work very hard and risk our lives on a daily basis. We have earned the right to make additional income,” he said.

In a separate case, Heyburn ruled that all jockeys can wear a patch with the name of the 1,100-member Jockeys’ Guild.